Legacy and Significance
After his time, Philip II was well known not only for the Golden Age that he created, but for his love of Christianity and the large economical deficits he created.
After his death, the Golden Age continued for another 100 years. The Golden Age allowed for monarchs and nobles to become patrons of the arts. The wealth of the country was contributed to the arts as well as the military and palaces (El Escorial, pictured above). Overall, the art showed the faith and pride in Spain in the century.
Economically, there were surplusses of gold and silver coming into the country from the Americas that made Spain wealthy for a period of time. In the end, however, problems were caused. Inflation quickly became a problem. It was caused by the rising population and by the value of silver dropping. In addition to inflation, there were limited numbers of businesspeople and artisans in the country. Jews and Muslims were expelled due to their religion, causing the low numbers. Also, tax burdens were given to the poor because nobles were not responsible for paying taxes. This burden made it so they could not start their own businesses, thus eliminating a middle class. Continuing, the prices of goods in Spain were significantly expensive and were rising in price, forcing the Spaniards to buy from France, England, and the Netherlands. The "enemy" countries were gaining money and Spain was slowly spiraling downward. Debt was quicky piling up for the country becase of wars and borrowed money. Philip often asked to borrow money from Germany and Italy to fund these wars. In the end, the king declared the Spanish state bankrupt a total of three times.
Althought he created quite a debt, Philip had some seemingly positive accomplishments. Being the thorough Christian he was, Philip was determined to get everyone to convert to his religion or leave his land. He exterminated Protestants from Spain altogether. In the New World, he was still determined, so he imposed the Spanish imposition on the people.
After his death, the Golden Age continued for another 100 years. The Golden Age allowed for monarchs and nobles to become patrons of the arts. The wealth of the country was contributed to the arts as well as the military and palaces (El Escorial, pictured above). Overall, the art showed the faith and pride in Spain in the century.
Economically, there were surplusses of gold and silver coming into the country from the Americas that made Spain wealthy for a period of time. In the end, however, problems were caused. Inflation quickly became a problem. It was caused by the rising population and by the value of silver dropping. In addition to inflation, there were limited numbers of businesspeople and artisans in the country. Jews and Muslims were expelled due to their religion, causing the low numbers. Also, tax burdens were given to the poor because nobles were not responsible for paying taxes. This burden made it so they could not start their own businesses, thus eliminating a middle class. Continuing, the prices of goods in Spain were significantly expensive and were rising in price, forcing the Spaniards to buy from France, England, and the Netherlands. The "enemy" countries were gaining money and Spain was slowly spiraling downward. Debt was quicky piling up for the country becase of wars and borrowed money. Philip often asked to borrow money from Germany and Italy to fund these wars. In the end, the king declared the Spanish state bankrupt a total of three times.
Althought he created quite a debt, Philip had some seemingly positive accomplishments. Being the thorough Christian he was, Philip was determined to get everyone to convert to his religion or leave his land. He exterminated Protestants from Spain altogether. In the New World, he was still determined, so he imposed the Spanish imposition on the people.