Charles V(Charles I of Spain) 1516-1556 abdicates and divided his possessions between his son Philip II, 1556 - 1598, who got Spain, Spanish colonies, and the Netherlands while his brother Ferdinand I, 1556 - 1564, who got Austria and also the nominal title of Holy Roman Emperor.
The defeat of the Spanish Armada (1588) and the loss of the United Provinces of the Netherlands (completed by 1648) mark the end of Spain's greatness.
The Thirty Years War 1618 - 1648.
The Thirty Years war was fought essentially within the Holy Roman Empire. The Catholic side, led by the Austrian Holy Roman Emperors, failed in destroying the Lutherans and unifying the Holy Roman Empire under Austrian, Habsburg, Catholic domination. Protestantism survived on the continent and in England.
The State System Since Westphalia.
The state system took its modern form since 1648 and was fully established in Europe. Major states which came into being were.
The Spanish Empire Portuguese Empire Dutch Empire Swedish Empire French Empire English Empire.
After Thirty Years War. France emerged as the most powerful country in Europe. Spain slipped in power. The Seven United Provinces of the Netherlands gained independence. England was united with Scotland. Great Britain became the dominant naval power of the world. England France, Spain and Sweden were considered great powers. Small powers included Denmark, Holland, Portugal and Switzerland. .
The State System in this arena was affected by Industrial Revolution, representative governments, political changes, growth of international law, emergence of international organization, economic interdependence, revolution in the means of transport and communication.