Charles and Foreign Policy (2)

Question 1

In 1536, what did Charles say to the Pope regarding the fighting against Islam?

Answer 1

He said he wished to wage “not war against Christians but against the infidel”

Question 2

What was Charles’ personal emblem and what words did it have on? What significance did this have?

Answer 2

• Pillars of Hercules
• bore the words ‘Plus Oultre’ (still further)
• suggested the Herculean task facing the king in fighting Islam

Question 3

In 1532, why did Ferdinand have to be involved with Vienna? What was the result?

Answer 3

• it was besieged by the Turks

- no fighting, peace was made as the Turks withdrew

Question 4

The Spanish people were really supportive of Charles’ measures to deal with Islam in North Africa. Why couldn’t he continue these measures until after 1529?

Answer 4

• he was involved in other commitments
• Barbarossa took the island fortress of Penon from Spain
• Charles’ had the support of the naval force led by Doria to help him (meant he could move and supply troops from Spain to HRE much easier)

Question 5

Why did Charles have to organise an expedition against Tunis in 1535?

Answer 5

• he had attempted a naval expedition to take Coron and Patras (1532-1533) but it hadn’t weakened Barbarossa

Question 6

What did the 1535 expedition against Tunis achieve?

Answer 6

• attacked and captured the fortress of La Goleta and the city of Tunis
• however, though most of the Turkish fleet was captured, Barbarossa escaped

Question 7

After this major success, why couldn’t this be followed up?

Answer 7

• Charles had other commitments in Northern Europe

Question 8

List the further attempts to attack Islam

Answer 8

• first attempt to stop Barbarossa failed
• second attempt to stop pirate Dragut failed
• 1541: attack on Algiers came to tragic end when storm wrecked the fleet

Question 9

Over the years 1551 - 1555, the Turks took other small places. Name a couple of places that Spain still held at the end of the reign

Answer 9

• Melilla
• Oran
• Mers-el-Kebir
• La Goleta

Question 10

When Charles was made HRE, what was very clear to him regarding religion?

Answer 10

• that the German princes wouldn’t tolerate interference in their affairs

Question 11

How did the spread of Lutheranism intensify difficulties?

Answer 11

• it split the Catholic and Lutheran princes and cities

Question 12

At the 1547 Battle of Muhlberg, who was defeated and by whom?

Answer 12

• Lutheran forces by Charles

Question 13

After what event did Charles feel unable to continue and what did he do?

Answer 13

• 1552: failure to retake Metz from the French

- fled to the Netherlands

Question 14

Due to Charles feeling ill and disillusioned, what did he do?

Answer 14

• gave his imperial authority to his brother Ferdinand

Question 15

Who negotiated the Treaty of Augsburg and when?

Answer 15

• Charles’ brother Ferdinand in 1555

Question 16

How did Gattinara motivate Philip to protect Catholicism?

Answer 16

• urged upon his master a God-given duty to establish a ‘monarchia’ of Christendom

Question 17

What other weaknesses did Charles face against Lutheranism?

Answer 17

• 1521: Edict of Worms banned Luther from preaching or publishing beliefs in empire
• but his ideas gained significant minority support and Edict of Worms was largely ignored in these areas
• absence of effective constitution, implementing edict became matter of negotiation with individuals
• tried to press popes and princes into a General Council to discuss religious matters but successive failures of diets led him to Mulhberg in 1547