He believed in the divine nature of a ruler, he believed that having a strong say in all of the affairs of the empire despite its size and establishing a centralized government was important. Philip defended the the Catholic faith throughout the world and opposed the progress of heresy. He used religious persecution and the Spanish Inquisition to eliminate resistance to his policy of centralizing power. He also used the full power of the Spanish Inquisition against Protestant groups in Spain. For example Philip believed it was his duty to defend Catholicism against the Muslims of the Ottoman Empire and the Protestants of Europe. So Philip launched the Spanish Armada in an attempt to punish Protestant England. He also raised taxes in the Netherland and took steps to crush Protestantism. To show his devotion to the church Philip poured a great deal of money into the palace El Escorial.
He believed in the divine nature of a ruler, he believed that having a strong say in all of the affairs of the empire despite its size and establishing a centralized government was important. Philip defended the the Catholic faith throughout the world and opposed the progress of heresy. He used religious persecution and the Spanish Inquisition to eliminate resistance to his policy of centralizing power. He also used the full power of the Spanish Inquisition against Protestant groups in Spain. For example Philip believed it was his duty to defend Catholicism against the Muslims of the Ottoman Empire and the Protestants of Europe. So Philip launched the Spanish Armada in an attempt to punish Protestant England. He also raised taxes in the Netherland and took steps to crush Protestantism. To show his devotion to the church Philip poured a great deal of money into the palace El Escorial.