1. The Spanish Empire
By
Eric James

2. History of Spain
• Spain was inhabited by Greeks in the northeast
and Phoenicians in the southwest.
– Mixed population toward the center of the peninsula.
• Conquered by Romans.
– Roman culture became imprinted upon Spanish.
– Several Roman Emperors were born in Spain.
• Conquered by Visigoths.
– Visigoth rulers strove to remain separate from the
people of Spain, resulting in disloyalty.

3. History of Spain
• Moors invaded Visigoth Spain.
– Lack of unity among people contributed to fall.
– Visigoth Civil war further weakened the kingdom.
– Islamic Emirs established Al-Andulas as their Iberian
kingdom.
• Pelagius of Asturius began a Reconquista with victory
over the Moors in Asturias.
• Kingdom of Spain was established in 1492 with the
uniting of Castile and Aragon.
– Marriage of Ferdinand of Aragon and Isabella of Castille.
– Sponsored Columbus’ voyage that same year.

4. Habsburg Spain
• Charles I of Spain became Emporer Charles V of
The Holy Roman Empire.
– Achieved the height of the Spanish Empire.
– Divided his will between Spain and its possessions and
The Holy Roman Empire.
• Philip II of Spain.
– Attempted to consolidate power in the Netherlands.
• Committed too much of Spain’s resources.
• Led to an unsuccessful invasion of England (Dutch supporter)
by the Spanish Armada.

5. Habsburg Spain
• Spain retained its position as the world’s most
powerful empire, but began decline.
– Experienced economic crisis.
– Harassed by Barbary Pirates on coasts.
• Between 800,000 and 1,250,000 Christians captured
and enslaved by Muslims.
– Plague of 17th Century killed over 1,250,000
Spaniards.
• Philip III established a ten year truce with The
Dutch while involved in The Thirty Years War.

6. Habsburg Spain
• Philip IV endured the end of The Thirty Years War.
– No clear winner except for France.
– Portugal and Catalonia rebelled.
• Portugal was forever lost to the Spanish Empire.
• Charles II, developmentally disabled son of Philip
IV takes the throne.
– Left Spain virtually leaderless.
– Became a 2nd rank world power.
– Habsburg dynasty became extinct.

7. Fall of the Spanish Empire
• Spain’s fall resulted in The War of the Spanish
Succession.
– Louis XIV of France became the victor.
• Golden Age of Spain.
– While Spain’s power was dwindling, the arts were
flourishing.
• Diego Velazquez, El Greco, Tomas Luis De Victoria, Luis De Milan,
Alfonso Lobo, Miguel De Cervantes, and Lope De Vega all achieved
artistic success during this time.
– The Habsburgs were great patrons of the arts.
• Spanish rule transitioned to the Bourbon dynasty.
– Usually favored the interests of France over those of Spain.