Imperial Spain Spain

in 1469, crowns of christian kingdoms of castile , aragon united marriage of isabella of castile , ferdinand ii of aragon. 1478 commenced completion of conquest of canary islands , in 1492, combined forces of castile , aragon captured emirate of granada last ruler muhammad xii, ending last remnant of 781-year presence of islamic rule in iberia. same year, spain s jews ordered convert catholicism or face expulsion spanish territories during spanish inquisition. treaty of granada guaranteed religious tolerance towards muslims, few years before islam outlawed in 1502 in kingdom of castile , 1527 in kingdom of aragon, leading spain s muslim population becoming nominally christian moriscos. few decades after morisco rebellion of granada known war of alpujarras, significant proportion of spain s formerly-muslim population expelled, settling in north africa.

the year 1492 marked arrival of christopher columbus in new world, during voyage funded isabella. columbus s first voyage crossed atlantic , reached caribbean islands, beginning european exploration , conquest of americas, although columbus remained convinced had reached orient. colonisation of americas started, conquistadores hernán cortés , francisco pizarro. miscegenation rule between native , spanish cultures , people.

christopher columbus meets isabella of castile , ferdinand ii of aragon in alhambra

as renaissance new monarchs, isabella , ferdinand centralised royal power @ expense of local nobility, , word españa, root ancient name hispania, began commonly used designate whole of 2 kingdoms. wide-ranging political, legal, religious , military reforms, spain emerged first world power.

the unification of crowns of aragon , castile marriage of sovereigns laid basis modern spain , spanish empire, although each kingdom of spain remained separate country, in social, political, laws, currency , language.

anachronous map of spanish empire, including territorial claims



maría pacheco, last leader of revolt of comuneros, 1 of first modern revolutions

there 2 big revolts against new habsburg monarch , more authoritarian , imperial-style crown: revolt of comuneros in castile , revolt of brotherhoods in majorca , valencia. after years of combat, comuneros juan lópez de padilla, juan bravo , francisco maldonado executed , maría pacheco went exile. germana de foix finished revolt in mediterranean.

spain europe s leading power throughout 16th century , of 17th century, position reinforced trade , wealth colonial possessions , became world s leading maritime power. reached apogee during reigns of first 2 spanish habsburgs—charles (1516–1556) , philip ii (1556–1598). period saw italian wars, revolt of comuneros, dutch revolt, morisco revolt, clashes ottomans, anglo-spanish war , wars france.

through exploration , conquest or royal marriage alliances , inheritance, spanish empire expanded include vast areas in americas, islands in asia-pacific area, areas of italy, cities in northern africa, parts of france, germany, belgium, luxembourg, , netherlands. first circumnavigation of world carried out in 1519–1521. first empire on said sun never set. age of discovery, daring explorations sea , land, opening-up of new trade routes across oceans, conquests , beginnings of european colonialism. spanish explorers brought precious metals, spices, luxuries, , unknown plants, , played leading part in transforming european understanding of globe. cultural efflorescence witnessed during period referred spanish golden age. expansion of empire caused immense upheaval in americas collapse of societies , empires , new diseases europe devastated american indigenous populations. rise of humanism, counter-reformation , new geographical discoveries , conquests raised issues addressed intellectual movement known school of salamanca, developed first modern theories of known international law , human rights.

europe after peace of westphalia

in late 16th century , first half of 17th century, spain confronted unrelenting challenges sides. barbary pirates, under aegis of rapidly growing ottoman empire, disrupted life in many coastal areas through slave raids , renewed threat of islamic invasion. @ time when spain @ war france.

the protestant reformation dragged kingdom ever more mire of religiously charged wars. result country forced ever expanding military efforts across europe , in mediterranean.

by middle decades of war- , plague-ridden 17th-century europe, spanish habsburgs had enmeshed country in continent-wide religious-political conflicts. these conflicts drained of resources , undermined economy generally. spain managed hold on of scattered habsburg empire, , imperial forces of holy roman empire reverse large part of advances made protestant forces, forced recognise separation of portugal (with whom had been united in personal union of crowns 1580 1640) , netherlands, , suffered serious military reverses france in latter stages of immensely destructive, europe-wide thirty years war.

the family of philip v. during enlightenment in spain new royal family reigned, house of bourbon.

in latter half of 17th century, spain went gradual decline, during surrendered several small territories france , netherlands; however, maintained , enlarged vast overseas empire, remained intact until beginning of 19th century.

the decline culminated in controversy on succession throne consumed first years of 18th century. war of spanish succession wide-ranging international conflict combined civil war, , cost kingdom european possessions , position 1 of leading powers on continent. during war, new dynasty originating in france, bourbons, installed. long united crown, true spanish state established when first bourbon king, philip v, united crowns of castile , aragon single state, abolishing many of old regional privileges , laws.

the 18th century saw gradual recovery , increase in prosperity through of empire. new bourbon monarchy drew on french system of modernising administration , economy. enlightenment ideas began gain ground among of kingdom s elite , monarchy. military assistance rebellious british colonies in american war of independence improved kingdom s international standing.

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