1. Fernando and Isabel united their kingdoms through marriage, creating a powerful Spain. They established the Spanish Inquisition and expelled Jews in 1492.
2. Explorers like Columbus and Magellan expanded Spain's empire, leading to the conquest of the Aztecs and Incas. This introduced new goods, diseases, and slavery to the Americas.
3. The Hapsburg and Bourbon dynasties ruled Spain over subsequent centuries. The Bourbons centralized power and modernized Spain under the influence of the Enlightenment.