During the late 15th and early 16th centuries, Ferdinand and Isabella unified Spain and expanded its territories through conquests. Their funding of Columbus's expedition led to the discovery of America, beginning the Spanish Empire. Charles I expanded the empire further, though faced problems from revolts. Philip II made the empire even larger but costly wars impoverished Spain. The Spanish Golden Age between 1560-1680 was a high period for arts and culture. By the 17th century, weak rulers and revolts diminished Spain's power, leading to a succession dispute and war in the early 18th century.

1. Spain after 1492
WHERE WE ARE IN PLACE AND TIME

2. The reign of Catholic Monarchs
oQueen Isabella I of Castile and King Ferdinand II
of Aragon unified Spain with their marriage and
so expanded its territories.
oThrough out their rule, they conquered the
Kingdom if Granada, areas of North Africa and the
Canary Islands.
oOn top of this they funded Christopher
Columbus’ expedition leading him to discover
America!
Key Words
Territories: Land that is controlled or owned by a
particular country.
Conquered: The act of taking control of a country or
beating a country in battle/war.
Fund: To provide the money to pay for something.

3. The Spanish empire 1516
oIn 1516 Isabella’s grandson, Charles I, became the king of Spain.
oHis empire included the Netherlands, areas of Central Europe as well
as the Catholic Monarch territories.
oDuring his his reign there were revolts in Spain and also wars in
Europe due to religious and social disputes. This caused Charles I
serious problems.
Key Words
Empire: A group of countries all ruled by one person.
Reign: The length of time a King or Queen rules a country.

4. The Spanish empire 1556
oAfter Charles I came the rule of Philip II.
oHis empire was even larger than Charles I’s as it
included the Netherlands, Iberian Peninsula and areas
of southern Italy, Asia, Spain and Africa.

5. The Spanish empire 1556
oDuring his reign, Philip II was involved in many wars.
These wars were very expensive making the
population of Spain become much poorer.
oHowever, his armies fought and won against France in
1557 and the Turks at the battle of Lepanto in 1571.
oUnfortunately, the Netherlands started their rebellion
against the Spanish rule during this time.

6. The Culture of the Golden Age
oThe Spanish Golden age lasted from 1560 – 1680 and was a period of time with great artistic
activity.
Literature
One of the worlds greatest books
was written by Miguel de Cervantes.
Lope de Vega was an important
figure, writing plays and poetry.
A painting of Miguel De Cervantes

7. The Culture of the Golden Age
Architecture
The Monastery El Escorial was built in the
16th Century.
The Cathedral of Seville was built in the
17th Century.
El Escorial

8. The Culture of the Golden Age
Painting
El Greco became famous in the 16th century
for his elongated figures.
Diego Velazquez painted his masterpieces in
the 17th Century.
El Greco 1588

9. The 17th century crisis
oIn the 17th Century, there were three Habsburg Kings;
o Philip III (1598-1621)
o Philip IV (1621-1665)
o Charles II (1665-1700)
oAll of these kings chose ministers. These ministers became extremely powerful.
oThis was a time of military and political decline. Spain lost the Netherlands and Portugal and
there were also revolts in Catalonia.
Key Words
Minister: A politician who holds an
important position of power.

10. Bourbon Spain
oCharles II died in 1700 with no children, and so no heir to the throne.
oThere was a dispute about who should become king or queen by two royal families: the French
Bourbons and the Austrian Habsburgs.
oBetween 1701 and 1714 countries in Europe fought in the Spanish War of Succession. At the
end of this war the Philip V the French Bourbon became King of Spain.
Key Words
Heir: Someone who will get another persons money or
belongings (in this case the throne) once that person dies.

11. The Bourbon Monarchy
oPhilip V established an absolute monarchy. This is when the government holds all the power.
oMany changes were made during this time by Philip V, Charles III and Charles IV who were the
first Bourbon kings.
oThese changes included allocating secretaries of state, who would help the king with
government related activities like tax collecting and the organisation of armies.

12. Science and culture in the 18th Century
oIn the 18th century, interest in culture
and science increased.
oDaily newspapers appeared
oMuseums and botanical gardens were
created
oAcademies were created, such as the Royal
Academy of Language were formed.
Botanical Gardens of Madrid

13. The 19th Century- Spanish war of
independence.
oNapoleon Bonaparte, the Emperor of France, invaded Spain in 1808.
oAfter a victory, Napoleons brother Joseph Bonaparte became king. Opposition
to his reign led to the Spanish war of independence.
oDuring this war, members of the Spanish parliament wrote the Constitution of
Cadiz which limited the Kings power and established the rights of citizens
including the right to vote for men aged 25 or older.

14. Restoration of Ferdinand VII
oThe French were defeated, and in 1814 Ferdinand
VII was once again made king of Spain.
oThere was political chaos in Spain as there was an
independence movement in the Spanish colonies
of America.
oIn 1824, all the American colonies except Cuba
and Puerto Rico were independent.
Ferdinand VII

15. Conservatism and Liberalism
oIsabella II, Ferdinand’s daughter, came to the throne in 1833.
During her reign there were conflicts between the conservatives and
liberals.
oConservatives are individuals with traditional values, and wanted an absolute
monarchy.
oLiberals wanted to modernise the country. They wanted limitations on the
powers of the monarch.
oIn 1873 the First Spanish Republic was made but it lasted less than a
year. Finally in 1874 the monarchy was restored under Isabella’s son,
Alfonso XII.

16. Resources
www.Dictionary.com
Essential Science 6 (Richmond Publishing).