The Spanish Empire was a vast overseas empire established during the 16th century when Spain conquered vast areas of North and South America, overrunning the Aztec and Incan empires. Spain built upon its naval strengths and established colonies in the Americas and territories in Europe, Africa, Asia, and Oceania. Though Spain lost its European possessions after the War of Spanish Succession in 1713, it retained a vast overseas empire through the 18th century aided by military victories over Britain. The empire declined in the 17th century during the rule of the Spanish Habsburgs due to costly wars and bankruptcy, though it remained a powerful global force.

1. The Spanish Empire By: Sabrina Kiss

2. Spanish Empire Spain was a leader in discovery and shipping in the 16 and 1700’s Spain is surrounded for water and has an abundance off trees that make it easier to build strong long lasting ships Spain was able to conquer and settle Mexico and works it way up into modern day America The Spanish Empire consisted of the territories and colonies that were directly by Spain, the Americas, Africa, Asia and Oceania.

3. Spanish Empire In the 16th century, Spain settled the Greater Antilles in the Caribbean, and took over large areas on mainland North and South America overrunning the Aztecs and Incas. Spain's European possessions were given up at the conclusion of the War of the Spanish Succession in 1713, but Spain retained its vast overseas empire. During the 15th century, Castile and Portugal fell within territorial and commercial rivalry in the Atlantic western zone. Portugal obtained several Papal bulls which acknowledged the Portuguese control over the discovered territories. The earliest record of hominids living in Europe has been found in the Spanish cave of Atapuercafossils found there date to roughly 1.2 million years ago. Spain's European possessions were given up at the conclusion of the War of the Spanish Succession in 1713, but Spain retained its vast overseas empire. In 1741, a massive victory over Britain at the Battle of Cartagena de Indias in modern day Colombia extended Spain's control in the Americas until the 19th century. During the late 18th century, Spanish expeditions to the Pacific Northwest reached Canada and Alaska, resulting in a settlement on Vancouver Island and the discovery of several archipelagos and glaciers.

4. Catholic Monarchs and Columbus After a war of 10 years, the Granada War, in 1492, the Reyes Catolicos drove out the last Moorish king of Granada. After their victory, the Catholic monarchs negotiated with Christopher Columbus, a sailor attempting to reach Cipangu by sailing west. Castile was already engaged in a race of exploration with Portugal to reach the Far East by sea when Columbus made his bold proposal to Isabella. Columbus instead "accidentally" discovered the Americas, advancing the Spanish colonization of the continent. Spain's expansion and colonization was driven by economic influences, a yearning to improve national prestige, and a desire to spread Catholicism into the New World.

5. Exploration/Trade Struggle and Survival The Spanish inquisition in Mexico hurt the original inhabitants immensely In Struggle and Survival Catalina la Garay confessed to accusations after being tortured and received 200 lashings Trade “The Golden Age of Spain” with Charles inheriting large portions of land gave the country even more opportunity for trade Spain held huge a amount of gold and sliver during this time

6. The Spanish Habsburgs & the Golden Age Golden Age The Golden Age was another name for the 16th and 17th century. The Spanish Golden Age was a period of flourishing arts and letters in the Spanish Empire, coinciding with the political decline and fall of the Habsburgs. The Golden Age was the decline of the empire in the 17th century. The Spanish Habsburgs The Habsburg dynasty spent the Castilian and American riches in wars across Europe on behalf of Habsburg interests, defaulted on their debt several times, and left Spain bankrupt several times. As a result of the marriage politics of the Reyes Católicos, their Habsburg grandson Charles, he inherited the Castilian empire in America, the Aragonese Empire in the Mediterranean, the crown of the Holy Roman Empire, and Austria. After his defeat of the Castilian rebels (Comuneros) in the Castilian War of the Communities, Charles became the most powerful man in Europe, his rule stretching over an empire in Europe unrivalled in extent until the Napoleonic era.