Charles V: A Man with Too Many Countries

Outline:

1.  The lineage of Charles of Hapsburg  God has granted you a most wonderful grace and raised you above all kings and all the princes of Christendom to a power hitherto enjoyed only by your ancestor Charlemagne.  He has set you on the way toward a world monarchy, towards the gathering of all Christendom under a single shepherd.”

2.  The balance of power within the Holy Roman Empire of the German Nation

3.  Spanish conquests of Mexico and South America

            Panama

            Guatemala

            New Spain: Mexico and Florida

            San Domingo

4.  The Challenge of Islam in the Mediterranean

Questions to Consider:

1.  Describe the size of Charles’ holdings.  Why was he not able to force his will on his enemies?

2.  Why did Charles V not know what atrocities were taking place during the conquest of Latin America?

3.  What is the Muslim challenge which Charles attempts to answer?

Bibliography:

Karl Brandi.  Trans. By C. V. Wedgwood.  THE EMPEROR CHARLES V:  THE GROWTH AND DESTINY OF A MAN AND OF A WORLD EMPIRE.  London:  Jonathan Cape.  1970.

Warren Carroll.  THE CLEAVING OF CHRISTENDOM.

Eugene F. Rice, Jr.