3. Successful? Successful? Unsuccessful? Spain religiously united Preserved Monarquia Bullion from new world Maintained control of Church in Spain Attempted to challenge heresy where Strategically viable to defend Catholicism – Lepanto 1571 Financial cost of defending Monarquia and Catholicism Inefficient government Paper King – government paralysis by 1590’s Rebellion of Provinces – Moriscos 1568 , Netherlands 1566 and Aragon 1590 Maintained Catholic unity Of Empire (Exception of Netherlands) Economic issues Military defeat by French, English and Dutch Final analysis – seeds sown in 16 th Century for Spain's later demise ‘ Golden Age’ of culture Acquisition of Portugal in 1580 Counter Reformation Reforming degrees of Council introduced ‘ Black Legend’ view – Motley Tyrannical / Absolute
