The Spanish Empire controlled most of Central and South America as well as the Philippines in Asia at the start of the 19th century. However, between 1810 and 1825, inspired by the French Revolution, most of Spain's American colonies gained independence as Spain was weakened from fighting France. In 1898, Spain fought the Spanish-American War against the United States over its remaining colonies of Cuba and Puerto Rico in America and the Philippines in Asia, which it ultimately lost, marking the end of the Spanish Empire.

2. Unit 1 The Spanish
Empire

3. At the start of 19th century, Spain controlled most
of Central and South America, as well as the
Philippine in Asia. But by the end of the century,
Spain had lost its last colonies.
• Research : When did these countries
become independent?
• Argentina
• Venezuela
• Mexico
• Bolivia
• Uruguay

4. What is a colony?
A colony is a group
of people from a
country that settle in
a new place outside
of their country.

5. Between 1810 and 1825 most of Spain´s colonies in
America became independent.
The group of Spanish people who
lived in America (The colonists) were
inspired by the French Revolution.
Before the colonies became
independent they were being told
what they could and could not do by
Spain.
During the Spanish War of
independence, Spain was busy
fighting the French, this made
Spain weaker than before. This
gave the colonies an opportunity
to gain independence and
separate from Spain.

6. The Spanish-American War
In 1898 Spain fought a war against the
United States over its remaining colonies:
Cuba and Puerto Rico in America, and the
Philippines in Asia. During the 1890s there
were revolts in Cuba against Spanish rule.
Spain didn´t want to lose Cuba because
it was very rich in natural resources
such as sugar. However, the United
States supported the Cuban
independence movement against Spain.

7. Who won?

8. Why are colonies so important to countries?
Make a mindmap.
What were the reasons or the goals for Spanish
colonization of the Americas?