Pax Hispanica

The Spanish Empire in 1598

ThePax Hispanica(Latinfor "Spanish Peace" ) refers to a period of twenty-three years from 1598 to 1621, whenSpaindisengaged from theEuropean wars of religionthat characterised the previous century. Peace was signed with theKingdom of France,theKingdom of England,and theDutchUnited Provinces.This roughly corresponds to the rule ofPhilip III of Spain.

Peace was achieved by several treaties:

• 1598: ThePeace of Vervinsended Spanish involvement in theFrench Wars of Religion.Spain had been at war with France, with only brief respites, since theSecond Italian Warof 1499.
• 1604: TheTreaty of Londonconcluded theAnglo-Spanish Waron terms largely favourable to Spain.
• 1609: TheTwelve Years' Trucehalted the fighting in theSpanish Netherlands.
• 1610:Henry IV of Francewas assassinated.

The Pax Hispanica (1598-1621) comprises the two peaceful decades of theSpanish Golden Age(1492-1661), a distinct and broader concept marked by wars of conquest in the Americas and the involvement in several European conflicts. The Spanish Golden Age began as Spain established its empire underIsabella IandFerdinand IIand continued with the Habsburg monarchsCharles I,Philip II,Philip IIIandPhilip IV.Under the Habsburgs, the use of force as part of Spanish colonial policies in the Americas was reviewed following theValladolid Debatebut Spain became more and more involved in theEuropean wars of religion.

Under Philip II, Spain was the foremostgreat powerand had become involved in conflicts with the Dutch, the English, and the French. In 1579 the Dutch founded theUtrecht Union,after the reconquest by Spain of many territories in the Dutch provinces byAlexander Farnese.

The following year, the Spanish Monarchy achieved, for the first time since the Muslim conquest, the territorial unity of theIberian Peninsulathrough apersonal unionwith theKingdom of Portugal,thus creating theIberian Union(1580–1640). After capturingOstendfromSpinola,the Dutch continued their rebellion, finally achieving the independence during the reign ofPhilip III of Spain.

After this, Spain held the peace in Europe for nine more years, when theTwelve Years' Truceended. The peace ended when Spain got involved with theThirty Years' WarasFerdinand II, Holy Roman Emperorwas compelled to call on his nephew, KingPhilip IV of Spain,for assistance.

References

• Paul C. Allen (2000).Philip III and the Pax Hispanica, 1598–1621: The Failure of Grand Strategy.Yale University Press.