What was Absoulte monarch Phillip II accomplishments in Spain?
Philip II (of Spain) (1527-98), Habsburg king of Spain (1556-98), who ruled the country at the height of its power and influence and used that power in the service of the Roman Catholic church and the Counter Reformation. During his reign the Philippine Islands (named for him) were conquered and colonies were established in what is now the southern United States. Before succeeding to the throne of Spain upon his father’s abdication in 1556, Philip had already received the duchy of Milan (1540), the kingdoms of Naples and Sicily (1554), and the Netherlands (1555) from his father. With the throne of Spain he also inherited extensive regions of the New World. Shortly after Philip’s accession, the Spanish forces were victorious over the French at the battles of Saint-Quentin (1557) and Gravelines (1558), and the 60-year war with France was concluded by the Treaty of Cateau-Cambrésis (1559), which was highly favorable to Spain (see Cateau-Cambrésis, Treaty of). An outgrowth of the peace was
