The Spanish Empire originated during the 15th century and lasted through the 20th century, reaching its peak of world domination under the Habsburgs. The House of Habsburg, one of the most powerful royal families in Europe, split into Spanish and Austrian branches in the 16th century, with Spain becoming the dominant faction. As the Habsburgs practiced inbreeding to maintain their lineage, it led to physical deformities and their eventual extinction due to a lack of heirs. The Spanish Empire explored, conquered, and colonized much of the Americas through conquistadors and administration by the Spanish monarchy.

1. The Spanish Empire By: Tommy Marinelli Professor Arguello History 140

2. Habsburg spain The house of Habsburg was one of the supreme aristocratic royal families in Europe. Many countries had their rulers, kings, or emperors from the House of Habsburg. The Holy Roman Emperors that were elected in 1438-1740 originated within this family. Some of these countries were Austria, Spain, Hungary, Bohemia, and Burgundy.

3. Habsburg Spain In the 16th century there was a division, and the House of Habsburg split into two parts. Dominant: Habsburg Spain Secondary: Habsburg Monarch The House of Habsburg wanted control of Europe. In order to protect their lineage, there was constant inbreeding. As a result of inbreeding, the Habsburg Jaw began forming in younger generations. Eventually, they were extinct because of the lack of heirs and descendants were not capable of taking over due to inbreeding. Habsburg Jaw

4. Habsburg Spain The Spanish Inquisition was launched during the reign of the Catholic Monarchs. The Spanish Empire was able to explore, conquest, settle, and rule politically over much of the Western hemisphere through the Spanish Colonization of America. This colonization was initiated by Spanish conquistadors. It was developed by the Monarchy of Spain through missionaries and administration.

5. Habsburg Spain With the extinction of the Habsburg dynasty and the death of Charles II, Spain became a unified state. The ascension of Philip the V and the inauguration of the Bourbon dynasty. The Spanish Habsburg created the first de facto united state in the Iberian Peninsula. In 1504, Queen Isabella died and the Castilian Cortes Generales appointed Isabella’s daughter, Joanna, the new queen. Joanna’s husband, Philip, was the Habsburg son of Holy Roman Emperor, Maximilian I and Mary of Burgundy. He became King Philip I of Castile.

6. The Spanish Empire The Spanish Empire originated during the Age of Exploration and was one of the first global empires. During the Habsburgs, Spain reached the peak of its world domination. It lasted from the 15th century through the 20th century. In 1527, Cabeza de Vaca departed Spain on his royal expedition to land in North America. In 1542, the Viceroyalty of Peru was a Spanish colonial administrative district that had contained most of the Spanish-ruled South America.

7. The Spanish Empire The Viceroyalty of Peru was one of the two Spanish Viceroyalties in the Americas. The Spanish conquest of the Inca Empire was one of the most prominent in the Spanish colonization of the Americas. In the 1532 Battle of Cajamarca, 169 Spanish soldiers, lead by Francisco Pizarro and their native allies, ambushed the Sapa Inca Atahualpa and captured him. This began the lengthy fight which would eventually subdue the mightiest empire in the Americas. Spain continued to extend it’s rule over the Empire. This historic process of military conquest was made by the Spanish conquistadores.