The Spanish kingdom was created in 1492 and began its empire through Columbus' voyage to the New World. For the next three centuries, Spain was the most powerful colonial power, though wars with other European nations led to economic decline by the 17th century. The Spanish Empire dominated oceans and battlefields in the 16th century as one of the first global empires, bringing Christianity throughout its expansion, before experiencing a cultural golden age and eventual decline under the Habsburgs in the 16th-17th centuries.

1. The Spanish Empire
Between 1450-1800

2. The History of Spain
•The kingdom of Spain was created in 1492. The first voyage to the New
World by Christopher Columbus also took place the same year which began
the Spanish Empire.
•For the next three centuries Spain was the most important colonial power
in the world. During this time literature, fine art, and philosophy were a big
deal during this time frame. Because of the success Spain was having, it
easily brought on wars with France, England, Sweden, etc.;.
•These wars led to economic damage and in the 17th century Spain was
starting to see a decline in power.

3. War breaks out
Following a period of political instability
in the 20th century, in 1936 Spain was
experiencing a bloody civil war. The war
ended in nationalist dictatorship led by
Francisco Franco which he ruled the
Spanish government until 1975. The post
war decades were relatively stable and the
country experienced rapid economic growth in the
1960’s and early 1970’s. The death of Franco in 1975
resulted in the return of Bourbon monarchy head by
Prince Juan Charles.

4. Spanish Kingdom under the Habsburgs
• Spain most powerful world empire of the 16th and 17th
centuries reached its height and decline under the
Habsburgs.
• Charles V began king in 1516. As he approached the end
of his life he split his inheritance into two parts. One
being Spain and the other being its possessions in the
Mediterranean and overseas.
• The Habsburg dynasty became extinct in Spain and the
war of the Spanish Succession ensued in which other
European powers tried to control the Spanish monarchy.

5. Imperial Spain
The Spanish was one of the first modern global empires.
It was also one of the largest empires in history. In the
16th century Spain and Portugal were in the vangaurd of
European global exploration and colonial expansion.
The Spanish Empire dominated the oceans with its
experienced navy and ruled the European battlefield with
it’s fearsome infantry.
Spain had experienced a cultural golden age in the 16th
and 17th centuries.
Religion played a very big role in the Spanish Empire.
The thought that Spain could bring Christianity to the
new world certainly played a strong role in the expansion
of the Empire.

6. Muslim Era
• The Arab Islamic conquest dominated most of North
Africa. The Islamic Arab party led by Tariq ibnziyad was
sent to Iiberia to intervene in the civil war in the
Visigothic Kingdom.
• Muslim interest in the peninsula returned in force
around the year 1000. The Taifa kingdoms lost ground to
the Christian realms in the north and after the loss of
Toledo in 1085, the Muslim rulers reluctantly invited the
Almoravides, who invaded Al-Andalus from North Africa
and established an empire.

7. The Golden Age
A period of flourishing arts and letters in the
Spanish Empire. It’s interesting to think how
Arts flourished despite the decline of the empire
In the 17th century.
The Habsburgs in Spain and Austria were great patrons of art in their country. Some
of
Spain’s greatest music was written during this time and the influence lasted into the
Baroque period.
Spanish literature also took off during this time. Span’s most prolific playwright Lope
de
Vega wrote as many as one thousand plays during his lifetime and over four hundred
That sill are well known today.