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Period: Nov 25, 1500 to
The Decline of Spain
1821, waaas the whe n the first texas revoulution began -
Nov 25, 1556
Philip Inherited the Throne
When Philip inherited the throne in 1556, to all people he appeared to be Europe's most wealthy monarch. But to some he appeared to be known as one of the laziest kings in history. -
Nov 25, 1561
Taxes in Spain
Philip was forced heavily to rely on taxes in Spain and in 1561 the servicio tax was made a regular one, the excusado was introduced in 1567 and the crusada tax, together were known as the "Three Graces" reaching as much as 1.4 million ducats per year in the 1590’s. -
Nov 25, 1580
Begining of Spains Power
In 1580, Philip II successfully invaded Portugal, claiming to have inherited it.Also inherited it with its possessions in the East Indies and Brazil. -
Declared Bakrupted
Philip never raised enough cash to cover his expenditure. As a result had to declare state ‘bankruptcies’ in 1557, 1560, 1576 and 1596. -
Spain Became Bankrupt
By 1598, Spain was essentially bankrupt and Philip III inherited a nation seemingly doomed to decline. Philip was forced to make taxes on multiple things to prevent stayig bankrupt. However this was still not enough money and the Cortes had to be persuaded to grant the millones tax in 1590. -
Bubonic Plague
In 1599, a year after Philip took the throne. A bubonic plague killed about half a million people (1/10 of the Spanish population at the time). This meant a lower need for supplies. -
Twelve Year Truce
In 1609 Spain signed a Twelve Year Truce with the Dutch. This humiliating agreement effectively acknowledged Dutch independence. -
Falling of Spains Reputation
In 1643, the Spanish infantry suffered their first major defeat in generations when they were decimated by French forces at the battle of Rocroi, (Northern France). This left Spain`s reputation for invincibility seriously undermined. -
Spain's Loss of Land
Spain lost land oversea. Jamaica was seized by the English in 1654 (Spain recognised English occupation of the island in 1667-70), and in 1697 France took the island of Hispaniola. -
Spain's little power over Portugal
Since these were administered by Portugal, they were not strictly speaking "Spanish," but since the king of Spain was also the king of Portugal from 1580 (to 1668) whatever happened in Portuguese territories was of immediate concern to Spain. -
Money was Tight
Money was tight for the Spanish during the 17th century, despite that galleons filled with gold were sent from the Americas (though many were raided by pirates or were wrecked in storms). But conquering and forming an empire is one thing; maintaining it was harder. -
Increasing Proportion of Spaniards
Large numbers of Spaniards entered the church: - there were perhaps 100,000 clergy in the 1620s and 150,000 or more in the later seventeenth century. Others spent long years in college education - 21 new universities were founded. This increased the proportion of Spaniards in economically unproductive activities. -
“The Alamo Company”
Alamo de Parras located south of the Rio Grande, the 100 troops and their families arrived in force in 1803. The mission’s old convento became a barracks for the soldiers. Spanish authorities even established a military hospital on the building’s second story — the first hospital in Texas. -
Battle of Medina
A Spanish royalist army crushed the filibuster revolt at the Battle of Medina. Many of the rebels, including members of the company, were forced to flee for their lives. With order restored, the company resumed its traditional role of fighting Indians and interdicting interlopers. However, American filibusters would continue to threaten Texas for several more years.
