Write about Charles V and his foreign policy?

 

 

Question: Write about Charles V and his foreign policy?

 

 Ans: Charles V lived was born in 1500 in Ghent, Belgium.

Parents: Father: Phillip-I of Castle, descendant of Hapsburg, Austria.

Mother: Joanna of Castle, daughter of Ferdinand and Isabella.

            Charles V was the eldest son of his parents. Though he was not good looking his qualities like intelligence, hard work, patience, and perseverance won success for him.

            Titles: Holy Roman Emperor (1520),

                        Charles I, when ruling Spain.

                        Charles V, when ruling Holy Roman Empire. This feat was very rare in the world. One king was called with different names at different places.

            Early Issue:

a. Charles V’s empire extended into many continents, and people of different cultural background were his subjects. Uniting all these people was a mammoth work.

            b. Moors were the pirates who were causing loss to Spain off shore trade.

            c. Suppressing protestant movement to spread Catholic religion.

            d. Saving Christians from the attacks of Ottoman Turks.

            e. Defeating Francis I of France.

Domestic Policy of Charles V:

            1. Charles V suppressed the revolt of people of Castle.

            2. Inquisition was founded to punish those who oppose Catholic religion.

            3. Charles V’s aim was “One Nation, One King, One Religion”.  Charles V tried hard to achieve this aim.

 

Foreign Policy of Charles V:

Charles V tried to get back the territories occupied by Francis I, King of France. In 1515 A.D. Francis I occupied the city ‘Milan’ which was a part of Holy Roman Empire. Charles V claimed that ‘Milan’ was a gift land of Holy Roman Empire, and he has all the rights over it. This issue let to a war in 1522 A.D. Charles V emerged victorious in this war. Charles V imprisoned Francis I. Both concluded Treaty of Madrid, Spain. 

            Charles V married the sister of Francis I.

            One no time, Francis I started disobeying the treaty of Madrid. Francis I had the support of Pope Clement VII. In 1526 Francis I created League of Cognac —the alliance of France, Milan, Venice, Florence and the Papacy. Henry VIII, king of England also supported league of Cognac. The coalition army could not defeat Charles V. Army of Charles V entered into Rome and destructed monasteries, churches, arrested priests and  looted common people. Pope also got imprisoned and finally captured Rome successfully. This event is popular in history as the “Sack of Rome”. Pope Clement VII and Henry VIII concluded treaty of Cambrai in 1529.

            Charles V started having good relations with Pope. Charles V befriended with Sevoy. Alps were occupied by Charles V.  Charles V provided protection to Geneva. Water gate to Italy was set up by Charles V. Pope realized the abilities of Charles V and in 1530  A.D. coroneted him as the Emperor of Holy Roman Empire. This coronation ceremony was held at Bologna. This great feat was achieved for the first time in the history by Charles V. It was last too as none showed this much valour after Charles V.

            War with Turks: Holy Roman Emperor is entrusted with the task of safeguarding the Christians. When Turks invaded on Christian countries, Charles V waged fierce wars to retaliate the invasions.

            When Muhammad II, Ottoman Turkish king, captured Vienna, capital of Austria, Charles V sent troops in support of Ferdinand, King of Austria. As Ferdinand met with defeat, in 1553 A.D. he had to shed some parts of Hungary to Turks. 

            Relations with Netherlands: Present day Holland and Belgium were parts of Netherlands. These lands are also called as low lands. Charles V was born in Netherland and ruled it with the help of his trusted aides. Charles V took care to suppress the anti catholic of Netherland by killing them. When his son Philip II also forced same policy Netherlands, people revolted against them and established Dutch Republic.

            Relations with England: Catherine, princess of spain was given in marriage to Arthur, son of Henry XIII. Holy Roman Emperor Maximilian was the grandfather of Charles V from his mother’s side. After the death of Maximilian, Henry XIII of England and Charles V competed for the post of Holy Roman Emperor. Relations were strained do to the victory of Henry V. Relations were further deteriorated with the divorce of Henry XIII and Catherine.

            Relations with Protestants: As the protector of Catholic religion, Charles V punished protestants with a new instrument inquisition. In this process he killed many protestants ruthlessly. In 1530 Augsburg conference, many princes supported Protestantism. Due to this reason Charles V proclaimed war on them. This war was started in 1546 and lasted till 1555. It was ended with the defeat of Charles V. After this Protestantism gathered strength in Europe.

            Conclusion: Historians declared the period of Charles V as a great epoch in World History. After the defeat at the hands of Protestants, Charles V divided his kingdom for brother Ferdinand and son Philip II, and he led his remaining life as a humble Catholic and passed away in 1558 A.D.

            Charles rules Spain as Charles I and Holy Roman Empire as Charles V.