In the 1500's-1700's all countries were attempting to do one thing, become an absolutist state. That was the goal of everyone, but only a few succeeded. Spain, England, and France were the three most successful countries in creating absolutist states. Spain tried using war to succeed, England used high educated English tudors, and France, which was most successful, used the power of rebuilding, strengthening themselves, and weakening others. .
Spain was the weakest and least successful of these three countries, but still showed effort. Philip II was king of Spain in 1550; but had religious problems with his country. He was concerned about the loyalty of the Marranos and the Moriscos, a large religious minority. He was right and in 1569 the Moriscos revolted, but they were crushed just as fast as they started. Philip had problems with England, so around the 1570's he sent out the Spanish Armada. The Spanish Armada was an attempted mission to attack England. Unfortunately for Spain, England had longer range cannons and faster maneuvering ships. Spain was running out of ammo and water so they retreated to the North Sea, where their ships sank and many men died. After Philip II many incompetant nobles ruled including Charles II. Charles II was physically and mentally weak, and no one expected him to last long. Charles had no heirs to the throne, so European monarchs plotted to take control of the succession to the Spanish throne. Although Spain did not succeed in their goal, they still kept their country intact.
England was the second most successful in creating absolutist states. Henry VII, the first realy English tudor helped rebuild England's commercial prosperity. Henry expanded foreign trade, promoted taxes, careful with government spending, and avoided war. King Henry's son, Henry VIII, was a lot more risky than his father. Henry VIII increased power in England with war. He fought wars on the European continent and began to make England a great naval power.
