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To: Sherman Logan
I don't think it was the constant warfare that was such a problem ~ after all Philip II sank the Ottoman fleet and that certainy opened up some serious trade opportunities in the Mediterranean basin.

It was more the social dislocation caused by emigration to the colonies and the banishment of the people who constituted the knowledge base.

They kept kicking people out because of their religion, or doubts about their religion.

BTW, Philip II had been King of England with Queen Mary. He was hardly isolated from world affairs and the currents of Protestant thought. His war against Nederlandish rebels would have happened even if they'd all turned into Recollect Friars.

Spain had this Democrat thing down pat ~ NO THINKING ALLOWED ~ just spend the money!

At the same time, with all the smart guys in the country somewhere else, many in the Americas, the colonies prospered, and by the time Philip II reached the end of his reign the smart guys had already prepared to establish a prime meridian in North America, and several baselines, for purposes of subdividing the continent, selling off the land to developers, and creating a new civilizatioin.

Fortunately Philip died and was replaced by his son Philip III, and he actually put that plan into place. Check the Treaty of London in 1604. That singular act made it possible for EUROPE to develop North America, which happened, and here we are.

BTW, Philip III was otherwise not terribly interested in government, and that was a good thing. His involvement in parties and socializing allowed Spaniards abroad to give up the fascist mailed fist.

25 posted on 06/03/2011 5:17:58 PM PDT by muawiyah
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To: muawiyah; AndyJackson; Sherman Logan; All

Let’s not forget that as the Jews and Moors were being ejected from Spain, most of their wealth was being stolen from them and kept in Spain. What would be the impact of fewer people and more property, goods, and money?


29 posted on 06/07/2011 10:42:55 PM PDT by gleeaikin
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