Identify the major accomplishments of Spain

Philip II was the only son of Charles V, the Holy Roman Emperor and first Habsburg king of Spain ... During his long life, he attempted to expand the power of Spain, centralize the government, and protect the Catholic Church against Protestant reformers

Spain's greatest achievements took place during the reign of Philip II and are summarized below.

Explanation:

The extreme commitment to defend Catholicism against Protestantism and Islam shaped the internal and external policies of Philip II, who was the most powerful European monarch in an era of religious conflict.

During the reign of Philip II, Spain reached the height of its influence and power and remained firmly Roman Catholic. Philip considered himself a defender of Catholicism, both against the Muslim Ottoman Empire and against the Protestants.

Philip's foreign policies were determined by a combination of Catholic fervor and dynastic goals. He considered himself the chief defender of Catholic Europe, both against the Ottoman Turks and against the forces of the Protestant Reformation.

Wars with the Dutch provinces, England, France, and the Ottoman Empire have all weakened the religious aspects of protecting Catholicism in increasingly Protestant Europe or protecting Christianity against Islam. However Spain was more successful and limited the spread of the Ottoman empire in Europe.