During Philip II's reign he expanded Spanish influence, stregthened the Catholic Church, and made his own power absoute. He was like his father hard working, devouted, and ambitious. Unlike others, Philip spent most of his time on government work. He never jousted and would sometimes hunt. He made every part of the govenment responsible to himself. He controlled as an absoulute monarch with complete control over his government and the lives of the people.and Spanish power and prosperity declined aafter the defeat of the spanish . Through the 1600's, Spain's strength decreased. One of the reasons was that Philip II's sucessor wasn't suited for the job. Then there were economic problems also brought the decline Treasures from the Americas led Spain to neglect farming and commerce. Also the government hevaily taxed the small middle class, weaking a group that in other European nation supported royal power. The Spanish power dqindled in the 1600's and 1700's.