Grandes estrategias y pequeñas intrigas: Génova y la monarquía católica de Carlos V a Felipe II

Abstract

One of the fundamental points in Charles V's and Philip II’s strategy in the Mediterranean area was the alliance with Genoa; in order to maintain this alliance, they accepted and supported the republican regime desired by Andrea Doria in 1528. From that moment on a strong and reciprocally useful relationship developed and was consolidated. It consisted in an eminently political exchange: loyalty for protection - Genoa's loyalty to Spain in the great struggle with France; protection and safeguarding of the city's liberty on the part of the Spanish Monarchy. Genoa’s promise of loyalty to the Habsburgs could be seen principally in the fact that it put at their disposal services in two key sectors: ships and credit. This symbiotic link risked collapse in 1575 because of an internal revolt in Genoa that united the «new» nobles and the «people» against the «old» nobles (traditionally allied with Spain). This paper examines Phillip II’s contradictory policy awards the Genoese revolt and the mechanism of decision making that led the court of Madrid to choose simultaneously to suspend the repayment of the "old" nobles' credits to the Monarchy and to allow them to begin a private war against the republic.