Castro asserts in his book that Spanish culture derives its distinctive features from the interaction among Muslims, Christians and Jews (known as “three castes”) in al-Andalus between the eighth and thirteenth centuries.
By the 14th century, when Christian kings defeated Granada as its last Muslim kingdom in Spain, this multi-cultural society had been transformed into one dominated by Christianity.
Roman Empire
The Romans were an immense empire, leaving an indelible mark during their 600 years of occupation of what was then Hispania (Spain). Their influence can be found throughout agriculture, engineering, architecture, warfare and much more on Spanish peninsula.
Roman culture also greatly impacted Spain, evidenced by an ancient amphitheatre in southern Spain which bears witness to Celtiberians adapting Roman entertainment such as blood sports with wild animals and gladiators for entertainment purposes. Additionally, they introduced more centralized political structures with law-based provinces ruled by appointed governors with absolute power over non-Roman citizens.
Visigothic Kingdom
Visigothic Kingdom flourished until 711 AD when Spain fell under Umayyad Caliphate control. This period is notable for religious and political unification: upon conversion of Visigoths to Nicene Christianity, church councils took control over secular affairs of state; also notable are Hermenegild’s and Leovigild’s works which provided education.
Although Visigothic kings were Germanic people, they saw themselves as successors to Rome and attempted to emulate its social structures. For instance, they surrounded themselves with nobles who controlled large estates. Furthermore, their government mimicked late Roman system, featuring chancellors and mayordomos; leading to a partial merger between warrior elite and Hispano-Roman social elite.
Moorish Empire
The Moors ruled Spain from 711-1492 and during their seven-century rule brought with them cultural and scientific revolution. Arabic words became part of Spanish nouns, while concepts like zero, chess and numerals all originated with them.
Moorish culture experienced a revival in Christian Spain, particularly Toledo which served as an intersection for Christian, Arab and Jewish thought. Moorish rulers made a substantial annual tribute payment to Castile.
Moorish unity was destroyed during the 11th century when Sancho of Navarre defeated Muslim armies and led a Christian reclamation movement across northern Spain. Sancho sought assistance from El Cid, one of Spain’s greatest warriors, in conquering Granada.
Bourbon Dynasty
The Bourbon Dynasty was one of Europe’s most powerful royal houses during the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries, engaging in extensive power struggles both domestically and abroad. They dominated many areas both inside Europe as well as overseas territories.
Philip V initiated a century-long effort to modernize and reform Spain with his ascendency of the Spanish throne in 1716. These reforms, known as the Bourbon Reforms, sought to reduce contraband commerce, regain control of transatlantic trade routes, limit church influence and restore depleted royal coffers through state finances modernization.
As the kingdom became embroiled in European conflicts, its rulers and ministers changed policies often; historians continue to debate about their timing, impact and effectiveness during this era of imperial reform.
French Absolutism
Absolutism was a system of government in which all sovereignty resided with one individual – as evidenced by Louis XIV’s famous phrase, “I am the state.” Absolutism spread throughout Europe before reaching its peak in France and Spain.
Henry IV of France was assassinated during the French Wars of Religion in 1610; after inheriting his throne at eight years of age, Louis XIII decided to follow traditional practice and appointed Marie de Medici as regent while still underage; soon afterwards he sought advice from Cardinal Richelieu, and developed a modern state built upon absolute monarchy established by both of his parents and grandfather.
Spanish Civil War
The Spanish Civil War of 1936 to 1939 was the result of decades-long social polarization, led by General Francisco Franco’s Nationalist faction and supported by elements of its old ruling class–landowners, military leaders and businessmen–and conservative Catholics as well as fascist Falange supporters.
On the other side of this divide stood a Republican government led by Francisco Largo Caballero and Juan Negrin, as well as liberal President Manuel Azana y Diaz of the Republicans; these leaders enjoyed support among urban workers, middle-class individuals, anarchists and communists.
This conflict is perhaps best-known to Western audiences through Pablo Picasso’s 1937 painting Guernica, George Orwell’s memoir Homage to Catalonia and Ernest Hemingway’s 1940 novel For Whom the Bell Tolls; yet it was one of Europe’s bloodiest wars in recent memory.