Multiple Select Question Select all that apply Which factors prevented Spain from becoming an absolute monarchy? \( \square \) political reform \( \square \) internal revolts \( \square \) decentralized government \( \square \) expensive wars

Spain's journey toward absolute monarchy faced significant hurdles, one of which was its decentralized government structure. Regional identities and powers often clashed with central authority, making it challenging for a singular monarch to gain full control over the diverse territories. The strong regional governments frequently asserted their autonomy, complicating the monarch's efforts to unify the kingdom under absolute rule. Additionally, the costly wars Spain engaged in during the 16th and 17th centuries drained its resources and weakened its stabilizing authority. The repercussions of these expensive conflicts, like the Eighty Years’ War and involvement in the Thirty Years' War, not only strained the royal treasury but also incited discontent among the populace, further limiting the monarch’s power and influence.