Forgein Policy

                                                             

                                                    FOREIGN POLICY

Charles V, had in his hands a gigantic empire made up of very distant kingdoms, making it very difficult to maintain. Its foreign policy has as its main objective the defense of these territories.

a)There were two important idea    

 1. Maintain the universal Christian monarchy. In kingdoms that have very little in common, this becomesthe main instrument to unify.

2. Keep all the family inheritance. For this he had wars against his three main enemies: the King of France, the Turkish Empire and the Lutheran German princes.

The most important wars were: Wars aganist France, Wars against the Ottoman 

 Empire and German Protestan princes:

1. Wars against France: The Kingdom of France was surrounded by the Empire of Carlos V. This was the origin of a series of continuous wars, Italy as the main. France allied itself with the main enemies of Carlos V, trusting on England, which was essential to defend the Netherlands and  Italian states supported both Charles V and the French.

 b)There were three main consequences:

1. Territorial conquests in Italy

2. Increased military prestige

3. Financial ruins

2. Wars against the Ottoman Empire: the Ottoman Empire was experiencing its moment of expansion. They occupied Belgrade, conquered Hungary, and besieged Vienna. They allied with the Barbary pirates of North Africa that devastated the coasts and islands of the Mediterranean.

c)The wars against the Turks are fought on a double front:

1. Defense of Vienna. Main threat to the possessions of Carlos V in Europe.

2. Defense of the Mediterranean. The little naval power of Carlos V ended up turning this sea into a very insecure area.

                                                                                                                             

3.Wars against germany: the Protestant Reformation was supported by some German princes, who sought to increase their power outside of the Church and the Emperor. Carlos V defends the religious unity of all Europeans and seeks a compromise between Catholics and Lutherans.

In 1545 the Council of Trent is celebrated. Lutherans and Catholics are invited to attend with the intention of bringing their positions closer together. The result of this council is the Counter-Reformation.

Carlos V starts the war against the Protestant princes. In 1547 he defeated the troops of the Esmalcalda.

In 1555, Carlos V signed the Peace of Augsburg and divided the empire into two confessions: Catholics and Protestants.