• How far and why did Philip's foreign relations change in the course of his reign?

KEY AREAS OF STUDY

Philip's aims, strategies and relations with England, France, Portugal and the Ottoman Empire, turning-points in Philip's reign, an overall assessment in 1598.

PAST PAPERS

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To what extent was Philip’s foreign policy in the Mediterranean similar to that in Northern Europe?
how far do you agree that Philip’s foreign policy was defensive?
How far was upholding of Spanish prestige the main aim of Philip’s foreign policy?
Discuss the view that Philip’s foreign policy was inconsistent.
How far do you agree that Philip’s main priority in foreign policy was religion?
If Philip had died in 1584, his foreign policy would have been considered a success.’ How far do you agree?
How far do you agree that the Battle of Lepanton was the MAIN turning point in Philip's foreign policy?
Evaluate the reasons why Philip's foreign policy failed.


Interpretations: YOU MUST UNDERSTAND THE INTERPRETATIONS OF PHILIP'S FOREIGN POLICY - AS USUAL START B Y LOOKING AT THE YELLOW CARD AND THE A3 SHEETS OF HISTORIOGRAPHY. PULL OUT THE INTERPRETATIONS AND EVIDENCE. NOW LOOK AT THE KEY DOCUMENTS AND FIND THE POINTS, EVIDENCE, LINKS FOR THESE INTERPRETATIONS AND IF YOU CAN THE HISTORIANS YOU CLAIMED THEM. THIS IS CRUCIAL AND LIKELY TO BE IN THE EXAM.

Motives – defensive and dynastic
Aggressive imperialism
Religious = champion of Counter Reformation
National interests of Spain
Inherited strategy – Habsburg encirclement of France
Matrimonial imperialism
Grand Strategy – priorities
Pragmatic and opportunistic
Crisis management, inconsistent, disorganised
Examples: Djerba, Lepanto, Portugal
England – excommunication of Elizabeth, Nonsuch, Armada
France – Cateau–Cambresis, Joinville, war, Treaty of Vervins
Conclusion: generally, inconsistent in practice


HOW SUCCESSFUL WAS PHILIP'S FOREIGN POLICY?

Successes Of Fp Summary

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A Grade Essay

If Philip II had died in 1584 his foreign policy would have been considered a success. How far do you agree?

PLAN

England – Mary I, Elizabeth I, Dutch, Nonsuch 1585, Armada, Triple Alliance 1596/ France – 1559 Cateau Cambresis, Elizabeth Valois, Civil Wars, Anjou 1584, Guise Family, Henry IV converted, Triple Alliance 1596 / Portugal – 1580 ‘Tipping Point’ / Turks – 1560 Djerba, 1565 Malta, 1571 Lepanto, ‘empty victory’ Cyprus, cost, truce 1578 criticised

The foreign policy of Philip II has been widely debated by historians. In some ways the foreign policy has been viewed as defensive up until the 1580’s and in the main a success, followed by a more aggressive policy after 1580 which characterised by the armada proved a failure. However this is obviously a simplistic view of Philip’s foreign policy as such events as Lepanto have been reassessed as an ‘empty victory and the need to be aggressive after 1580 a strategic necessity to safeguard Philip’s monarquia.

Philip’s foreign policy can be viewed as successful until 1584. Relations with England at the beginning of Philip’s reign were positive with his marriage to Mary, and following her death Philip made attempts to maintain a positive atmosphere by defending Elizabeth against the pope and even a marriage proposal. Even as the relationship deteriorated before 1584 due trade disputes and England’s involvement in the Dutch revolt relations had not reached war. Similarly Philip had secured the 1559 Treaty of Cateau Cambresis which kept France out of Italian affairs and paved the way for Philip to marry Elizabeth Valois. By 1584 France was becoming hamstrung by its own internal problems. Successes against the Turks and Portugal provide potential highpoints. Philip successful annexed Portugal in 1580 gaining important new lands, precious metals from the new world and Atlantic facing sea ports as well as the Portugese fleet. However these successes should not be exaggerated as the cost of defending Portugal and the fact that Portugal can be seen as the ‘tipping point’ for Philip becoming more Atlantic facing after 1580. Lepanto 1571 is often seen as a success against the Turks following the failure of Djerba 1560 and successful liberation of Malta 1565. However recently Lepanto has been seen as an empty victory, the Turks quickly recovered to take Cyprus, the huge cost to Spain and the resulting much criticised truce of 1578, arguably into which Philip was forced. Overall Philip seems to have successfully defended his monarquia until 1584, uniting the Iberian Peninsula, removing the Turkish threat from the Eastern Med. Added to which a France paralysed and bridges had not yet been burnt with England.

Following 1584 Philip’s foreign policy became more Atlantic facing and challenging given the issues with France and the Spanish Netherlands. The decline into war against England following the Treaty of Nonsuch 1585 and the failed Armada 1588 provide low points. Yet in defence of Philip, England needed to be challenged not just on a religious level but also strategically given its involvement in the Netherlands. However this decline coupled with Philip’s insistent attempts to stop the Protestant Henry Navarre coming to the French throne, despite his later Conversion to Catholicism over extended Spain and resulted in the Triple Alliance against Spain in 1596. Towards the end of Philip’s reign he would face war against France and England, as well as open rebellion in the Netherlands. Added to this a crippling financial costs and backward economy from which recovery was almost impossible.

In conclusion Philip’s foreign policy can be fairly assessed as successful until 1584, however a more aggressive policy, which perhaps could not be avoided, extended Spain’s resources to the limit with little prospect of success from a continuing struggle. Arguably the point at which Spain started to lose control of her Monarquia which would continued fragmenting of her power from this point onwards. 1584 had been the high point in Philip’s foreign policy.