Spain: The Formative Years (1556-1598)

Spain: The Formative Years

Period: Jan 1, 1556 to Dec 31, 1598

Battle of Saint Quentin

Aug 10, 1557

This battle would prove to be a decisive victory for the Spanish and a crushing blow for the French. It would also serve to establish Spain as a continental power over the 16th century.

Battle of Gravelines

Jul 13, 1558

Once again, Henry The 2nd and France had been defeated at the hands of the Spanish Habsburgs. This loss would further demoralize the French and prove the Spanish supremacy in the war.

The Peace of Cateau-Cambrésis Signed

Apr 3, 1559

This would bring an end to the Habsburg-Valois War. It established Spain as the dominant power left in Italy, and Spain was left standing after the war with France.

St. Augustine Founded

Aug 28, 1565

Pedro Menéndez de Avilés established this fort in modern day Florida. It would serve as the capital of Spanish Florida for the next two centuries, and helped establish a foothold in North America for the Spanish.

Eighty Years War (Dutch Revolt)

Jan 1, 1568

Philip the 2nd tried to eliminate all Calvinist teachings in his empire. However, the Dutch would retaliate and fight back to stay maintain their views..

Holy League of Spain Forms

May 1, 1571

Philip forms an alliance with Venice and Genoa to turn back the ever advancing Turks. The Ottoman Empire probably posed the biggest threat to Philip during the beginning of his reign as king. They had slowly advanced over the Mediterranean region during the 1560s.

Battle of Lepanto

Oct 7, 1571

This naval battle between the Holy League and and the Ottoman Empire would stem the tide against the Turks. It prevented the Ottoman Empire from expanding further along the European side of the Mediterranean.

Manila claimed for Spanish Crown

Jun 24, 1572

This became an established port of trade for the Crown in Asia. It would serve as the de-facto "capital" and foothold for the Spanish East Indies for the next three centuries.

Sack of Antwerp

Nov 4, 1576

After Don Luis de Requesens, who had succeded the Duke of Alba as leader of the Spanish contingent in the Netherlands, died, and the Spanish troops ran amok. In just one night, over 7,000 people had died. This would lead the Pacification of Ghent 4 days later, and the unification of the Netherlands.

Pacification of Ghent

Nov 8, 1576

The mainly Catholic provinces of the south and the largely Protestant Northern Dutch provinces managed to come together and drive out the mutinous and rebelling Spanish troops.

Philip The 3rd is Born

Apr 14, 1578

Philip The 2nd's son and heir to the throne, Philip The 3rd is born in Madrid, Spain. He is born as a result of Philip's marriage to his 4th wife and Habsburg cousin, Anna of Austria.

Philippine Dynasty Begins

Mar 25, 1581

Philip The 2nd would overtake Portugal and fuse it into the Spanish Empire. He would become Philip the 1st of Portugal, and marked the beginning of the 80 year reign of the Iberian Union.

William of Orange Dies

Jul 10, 1584

One of the key figures in the Dutch Revolt, William of Orange dies. He was one of the leading figures in the Dutch fight for independence and one of the biggest hinderances to the Spanish Empire throughout the 16th century.

Spanish Armada Sets sail for England

May 30, 1588

The Spanish Armada set sail for England to go to war. However, the Armada would encounter a terrible storm, be blown off course, and were routed upon their arrival. Up until this point, Philip The 2nd had been the most powerful monarch in Europe.

Philip The 2nd Dies

Sep 13, 1598

Philip the 2nd dies at the age of 71, after a horrid 52 day battle with cancer. He left his kingdom to his son son and succesor, Philip the 3rd.