Imperial Spain 1469-1716 [Paperback]

Since its first publication, J. H. Elliott's classic chronicle has become established as the most comprehensive, balanced, and accessible account of the dramatic rise and fall of imperial Spain.  Now with a new preface by the author, this brilliant study unveils how a barren, impoverished, and isolated country became the greatest power on earth—and just as quickly fell into decline.

At its greatest Spain was a master of Europe: its government was respected, its armies were feared, and its conquistadores carved out a vast empire. Yet this splendid power was rapidly to lose its impetus and creative dynamism. How did this happen in such a short space of time? Taking in rebellions, religious conflict and financial disaster, Elliott's masterly social and economic analysis studies the various factors that precipitated the end of an empire.

Imperial Spain 1469-1716Acknowledgments
Foreword
Prologue
1. The Union of the Crowns
1. Origins of the union
2. The two Crowns
3. The decline of the Crown of Aragon
4. Unequal partners

2. Reconquest and Conquest
1. The Reconquista completed
2. The advance into Africa
3. Medieval antecedents
4. Conquest
5. Settlement

3. The Ordering of Spain
1. The new monarchy
2. The assertion of royal authority in Castile
3. The Church and the Faith
4. The economic and social foundations of the New Spain
5. The open society

4. The Imperial Destiny
1. The foreign policy of Ferdinand
2. The Habsburg succession
3. Nationalism and revolt
4. The imperial destiny

5. The Government and the Economy in the Reign of Charles V
1. The theory and practice of empire
2. The organization of empire
3. The Castilian economy
4. The problems of imperial finance
5. The liquidation of Charles's imperialism

6. Race and Religion
1. The advance of heresy
2. The imposition of orthodoxy
3. The Spain of thl“%