The Policies of Olivares and the Problems of Spain :: Olivares Spain Foreign Policies Essays

The Policies of Olivares and the Problems of SpainIntroductionThe view is chop-chop gaining currency that non only did Olivares policies for Spain and its empire not differ markedly from those of earlier Spanish statesmen, but that by and large the results of his manifold endeavours were two few and modest.This understanding of the historiography of Olivares effectiveness from Israel, makes Olivares cheek unoriginal and ineffectual. However other(a) historians, such as Elliott assume been far more sympathetic. the first and the snuff it ruler of Hapsburg Spain who had the breadth of vision to devise plans on a railway yard scale for the future of a world-wide monarchy a statesman whose capacity for conceiving coarse designs was matched only by his consistent incapacity for carrying them through to a productive conclusion.Were Olivares policies a realistic way out of Spains difficulties or did they annoy the situation? To understand this I am going to look at both Olivares foreign policy and domestic policy. Within foreign policy I propose to deal how far Olivares pushed the reputacin of the state beforehand domestic crises forced him to seek peace. Among others the best areas to examine would be Olivares policies during the 30 Years War from 1622 the Mantuan War 1628-31 and the great revolts of Catalonia and Portugal in 1640. As for domestic policy I will need to look at Olivares sign reforms of 1623, why they fell through and the effect this had. Furthermore it is important to look at the areas where domestic policy coincides with foreign policy (in a vindicatory sense) in the Great Memorial, including the Union of Arms. I will also have got to find out if Olivares policies were consistent, or whether they became more and more drastic during his bourn of office. Firstly though, to understand if the policies were realistic or not, I will have to look into the real problems of Spain. Where exactly did these problems lie and what areas require d alteration to play along Spain afloat? From this point I will go on to see the policies in action and from this I will gather whether or not they were realistic.1. The problems with SpainOn an international scale, Spain between 1580 and 1620 was at the crest of her wealth and power. Her mastery was the dread of all other nations, and therefore its destruction was the cherished aim of statesmen for a century.