Early History
Spanish heritage resembles a long, dynamic history that blends a wide variety of both western and eastern ethnicity. Civilization in Spain can be dated all the way back to 1100 BCE, when it was first inhabited by the Celts and the Iberians. Afterwards, several European civilizations including Rome and Greece made contact with the Iberians, and established major economic ties with the natives there. Following years of warfare in Europe, the middle ages saw many different peoples, namely the Visigoths and the Moors, to conquer and occupy regions of the peninsula, leading to a religiously divided state. It wasn't until Ferdinand and Isabella, monarchs of Castile and Aragon, were married that complete reunification was brought upon Spain. The new rulers converted the population to Catholicism, and established the Empire of Spain in 1492 CE. This new empire would rule the Spaniards for centuries, and would quickly accomplish maritime feats of unparalleled significance. Click "Learn More" to continue reading about early Spanish history.
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Important Rulers
Over the course of its existence, the Spanish Empire has seen many great rulers assume the throne. These rulers were tasked with protecting the Spanish mainland, as well as upholding Christianity among their subjects and protecting Spanish land claims both in Europe and overseas. Because of its deep ties with the Catholic Church, several Spanish monarchs were also appointed to other holy ranks. An example of such is Charles V, grandson of Ferdinand and Isabella. Charles V assumed the title of Holy Roman Emperor in 1516, and held it until 1556, two years before his death. The Holy Roman Emperor held extreme power in Christendom, and was often considered the second most powerful man in Europe. During his reign, Charles V hosted the Diet of Worms, and was faced with severe instability in Catholic Europe. Click "Learn More" to continue reading about important Spanish rulers.
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Spain and the Church
The Catholic Christian religion was the key guiding factor for the development of modern Spain. Ever since the days of the Romans, when the religion was first introduced, Christians have sought to consolidate holy influence on the Iberian Peninsula, and have used it to justify colonial expansion in the later days of the empire. Initially, European missionaries introduced Christianity to Spain the early 1st century CE, as they did to many neighboring civilizations. It wasn't until later, after the enactment of the Edict of Milan, that the Romans firmly converted the Spanish population to Catholicism. After the invasion of the Moors in the 8th century, more and more Spaniards were converting to Islam, and many feared that the religion would soon be lost. However, Visigoth retaliation from the north began a quest to reestablish Catholicism in Spain, and to drive the Moors off the peninsula. Click "Learn More" to continue reading about Spain and the Church.
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Colonization: North America
Beginning with the famous voyages of Christopher Columbus in the late 15th and early 16th century, Spanish explorers set their eyes on the new lands in the far west. These brave frontiersmen were among the first Europeans to launch a major expedition to the "New World". Always in desire of fame and fortune, and in the interest of expanding the Catholic religion overseas, Spanish monarchs were often responsible for allowing and funding these expensive voyages. The explorers were granted governance over whoever they found, and ownership to whatever they found. In return, these so-called "conquistadors" were expected to teach the natives about the Catholic religion, and to provide them with shelter and security. However, this system rarely functioned as intended. Nothing could prepare the natives for the brutal and inhumane methods that the conquerors implemented to forcefully convert them to Christianity. Click "Learn More" to continue learning about North American Colonization.
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Colonization: South America
After conquering the majority of southern North America, the Spanish conquistadors did not stop there. After hearing rumors of rich pearl fisheries on the coast of a land called Venezuela, the Spaniards continued their voyage into the south. Here, they adopted the same methods that previous conquistadors had used on the Aztecs in Mexico. Quickly cascading over the eastern and western coastlines, the explorers made quick work of lands like Chile and Ecuador, and gradually extending the conquest inland. The most significant conquest in South America took place in Peru, when the Spanish explorers unexpectedly encountered a technologically advanced civilization known as the Inca. After several years of gruesome guerrilla warfare, the Spaniard's prestigious weaponry and military strategy eventually won out over the comparatively outdated tribal militia. The Spanish influence in South America was greater than that of any other country, and their early conquests still impact these regions today. Click "Learn More" to continue reading about South American colonization.
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History of Spanish Wars
Before Spain became what it is today, the inhabitants of the Iberian Peninsula fought many important wars as a tribe, a kingdom, and later, an empire. The first of such wars was against the invading Carthaginians during the second Punic War. The North-African attackers intended to use the peninsula as a staging ground for their battles with the Romans. Later, most of the wars in Spain took place between Visigothic Christians and Moorish Muslims. When the Muslims first invaded Spain, the Christians were pushed far into the north, and were culturally isolated for hundreds of years. Eventually, the Christian resistance gained traction, and the Catholic states launched a holy war against the Islamic Caliphates in the south. Click "Learn More" to continue reading about the history of war in Spain.
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Important Wars in Spain
Wars fought in Spain left an everlasting impact on Spanish culture, religion, and ultimately decided the traits of Spanish heritage. Most Spaniards can trace their ancestry back to the Celt-Iberian race that first inhabited the Iberian peninsula in ancient times. When these settlements were conquered by other European and North-African civilizations, however, the traits and cultures of the Spanish people were changed drastically. War in Spain is also the key component of the consolidation of Catholicism in the region. After the major influx of Islamic sentiment during the Moorish epoch, Christian resistance during the Reconquista and Inquisition forcibly sealed Catholicism as the nation's official religion, and allowed for a united monarchy to be established. Click "Learn More" to continue reading about the important wars fought by Spain.
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