Charles ruled Aragon and Castile (Spain) as Charles I from 1516–1556 and the Holy Roman Empire as Charles V from 1519–1556. Charles inherited vast territories, including Castile, Aragón, Burgundy, Austria, and Spain’s possessions in the Americas, making him one of the most powerful monarchs of the 16th Century. During his reign, Spain expanded its overseas empire and gained wealth from precious metals and trade. He also oversaw conflicts with European powers and dealt with the fallout from the Protestant Reformation. Charles also implemented reforms that shaped the course of the Spanish Colonies in the Americas and issued decrees and orders that influenced colonial policies, including regulations related to indigenous rights and colonial administration. He abdicated in 1556, dividing his lands between his son, Philip II, and his brother, Ferdinand.
- European Adventurers
- Ferdinand and Isabella
- Bartolomé de Las Casas
- New Laws of the Indies (1542)
- Juan Ginés de Sepúlveda
- Seville
- South Carolina Colony, Settlement and History
- House of Tudor
AP US History Alignment
