Habsburg: What No One Told You About the Gold of America and How They Squandered the Wealth of the New World

In the annals of European history, few names resonate with as much power and ambition as that of the Habsburgs. This dynasty, which dominated much of Europe for centuries, became one of the most influential due to its access to the wealth of the New World. However, behind their apparent greatness lies a narrative of waste and decadence. Below, we will explore how the Habsburgs, in their quest to consolidate power, squandered the immense riches brought from America.

The Gold of America: A Blessing and a Curse

Since Christopher Columbus's arrival in the Americas in 1492, the flow of gold and silver to Europe became a central element for the development of European powers. Spanish conquistadors, under the command of figures such as Hernán Cortés and Francisco Pizarro, found vast reserves of precious metals in the Aztec Empire and the Inca Empire. Between 1533, when Peru was conquered, and 1600, it is estimated that over 11 million cubic kilometers of silver were sent to Spain, equivalent to about 200,000 tons.

These treasures not only enriched the coffers of the Spanish Crown but also propelled the Habsburgs to power. Charles I of Spain, who would become Emperor Charles V of the Holy Roman Empire, used this wealth to finance wars, expand his empire, and maintain an ostentatious court. However, as chroniclers of the time warn us, this abundance was also the beginning of their ruin.

Political Intrigues and the Squandering of America's Gold

The House of Habsburg found itself ensnared in a web of political intrigues and military conflicts that demanded vast amounts of resources. The g