How Did King Philip II Contribute To Spain

King Philip II of Spain: How He Improved Spain

Absolutism was a form of government during the sixteenth through eighteenth centuries of Europe, which had made a huge impact on most of Europe. One of these rulers that helped improve the life of Europe was King Philip II, who ruled Spain. King Philip II made many contributions to the overall, well being of Spain. Philip II had made positive and negative achievements. He helped expanding upon the nation and improved spanish culture by improving arts and literature and represent a great ruler. Overall, King Philip II had improved the culture and strength of Spain, therefore, had become a great ruler.

King Philip’s life led up to his reign of rule in Spain. King Philip was born in Valladolid at 1527 and died from cancer at the age of 71. Before king Philip ruled Spain, Valladolid was a

place where he and his father lived until he was matured enough to rule. Philip’s dad, Charles V got a warning from god that if his son had trusted his advisors fully, that terribles things will come. This had made Philip more cautious during his reign of rule which helped him become a bigger impact in Spain. These events before his rule had helped him improve to be a better ruler.
Philip II’s rule had many positive and negative effects during his rule.

One negative effect was Philip cooperating with the Church to persecute protestants during the Counter-Reformation. The reason why this was terrible is because of trying to force others into believing their own religion. “A league between Henry II of France and the pope was overthrown by Philip” (World Biography Online). This act was committed to gain more power so no one could overthrow him, this could be though as a positive or a negative affect. Another negative effect is opposing for public communication, the reason why this is a negative effect is not showing and/or telling what problems Spain had. A Positive effect that helped his reign of rule is being powerful and always hard working. “Personally, Philip was fair, spoke softly, and had an icy self-mastery; in the words of one of his ministers, he had a smile that cut like a sword” (Encyclopedia of World Biography). The reason why this a good effect during his reign of rule is that he could represent an excellent ruler during his reign. Due to Philip’s reign of rule, his legacy had improved Spain as a

whole.
Philip II had made a huge impact on Spain when he died. One of the impacts he had made in Spain was improving the art and literature by studying the Renaissance. “However, his reign was subsequently dubbed a ‘golden age,’ not so much for its imperialist ventures as for its striking achievements in art, literature, and architecture, most of them derived from contact with Renaissance civilization” (Encyclopedia of the Renaissance). The reason to why this impact had improved Spain was improving art and literature can increase the popularity in art and create better books that had better information. Another impact he made when improving the country Spain was staying into high power for 50 years after Philip’s death. The reason to why this impact had improved Spain was having a better protection from invaders which will not lead to the destruction of Spain. One last impact that Philip II had made in Spain is letting the Counter-Reformation not creating any more conquests. The reason why this impact is fantastic is that the Counter-Reformation will have more religious tolerance to prevent riots made by the people.
King Philip II had made many long lasting effects during and after his reign of rule. For example, he had helped represent a great ruler to his people which lead to a better understanding to rulership in the future.