Charles V was king of Spain and Holy Roman Emperor. He became king of Spain in 1516 and was elected Holy Roman Emperor in 1519. However he was not originally from Spain he was born in the low countries (modern day Netherlands) and all his attendants that travelled with him to Spain when he became king, were Dutch, and not particularly fond of the Spanish people. In fact Charles could not even speak Spanish. This angered a great many people so when he left to be crowned as Holy Roman Emperor the people were ready to revolt. They were at first supported by the nobility but when they saw that this would diminish their power as well they began to grow wary of this uprising. Meanwhile Charles had returned from his coronation and was able to dispel the uprising on account of the Spanish people wearying of all the fighting that had occurred.
Charles Vs son, Phillip II inherited his fathers empire and was a proponent of an absolute monarchy. He believed in religious unity and decided to root out all the protestants that were living in the Netherlands. He expanded the inquisition and raised taxes all the while centralizing more power to him. There was rioting in Flanders and Brussels so in response Phillip II sent the Duke of Alba with 10,000 troops to suppress the revolt. Alba beheaded two Catholic nobles on account of them being “too lenient” with the protestants. He then proceeded to kill one thousand people suspected of disloyalty to the king, which further fueled the anger for a revolt. Indeed revolt did come and lasted for eighty four years ending with the separation of the upper seven provinces from the lower ten and creating the Dutch Republic. The Republic had assurance of private property, free trade and religious toleration, which in turn made The Republic a very prosperous nation and began a demonstration effect among other countries.