foreign policy

Question 1

which lands did charles possess

Answer 1

• habsburg lands (included austria/tryrol in central europe)
• burgundian lands (mainly netherlands, but also included franche-comte in eastern france)
• castile & discoveries of new world
• aragon & lands which made up aragonese empire (balearic islands, sardinia, sicily & naples)
• became holy roman emperor = responsible for these states

Question 2

charles’ aims in foreign policy

Answer 2

• (as holy roman emperor) defend catholic faith, bring peace to christian countries of europe & lead crusade against islam
• protect & extend lands ruled by family (especially remaining burgundian lands which had been lost to france)
• key part of strategy was marriage alliances through marriages of members of his family

Question 3

why was there general conflict between france & spain

Answer 3

• personal rivalry between charles & francis I (succeeded french throne in 1515)
• rivalry intensified when charles defeated francis in contest to become holy roman emperor (1519)
• france became encircled by habsburg territories