Historiography of Spain spans centuries during which its global empire shaped Europe and beyond, as well as periods of revolutionary turmoil which nearly brought about its dissolution. A culture rich in Phoenician, Carthaginian and Roman influences left its mark.
Queen Isabella of Spain ensured future stability by marrying both of Portugal and Bohemia (Austria). Furthermore, she united the two territories into one united kingdom.
History
Spain was an influential European power during the 15th and 16th Centuries, where Miguel de Cervantes pioneered novel writing; Tomas Luis de Victoria composed polyphonic motets; Diego Velazquez reigned supreme in court portraiture; while Saint Teresa of Avila popularised mysticism.
Franco’s dictatorship ended with his death in 1975, ushering in democracy. With political change came profound social transformation as young Spaniards eager to experience Europe sought out ways to bring Spain closer.
Roman Empire
In Spain’s turbulent nineteenth-century history, colonial possessions were lost and it experienced periods of republican-liberal and monarchical rule.
Even after the fall of imperial rule, classical culture in Spain remained strong – particularly its language, religion and legal principles which survived into medieval times.
Visigoths
Visigothic law of King Recceswinth established an example for unified governance and equal treatment under law that has long influenced Spanish legal practice. Their adoption of Catholicism also contributed to forming close ties between Church and State in Spain.
In 711, when Visigothic kingdom fell to Muslim forces under Saladin, this event signalled a turning point in Spain’s history.
Muslims
Modern Spain was established with the defeat of Muslim kingdom of Granada in 1492; however, what we know as Spain at present existed much more diversely during that era.
Christians, Jews, and Muslims lived relatively harmonious lives under Muslim rule, although Christian practice was sometimes discouraged. Many assimilated to Islam by adopting Arabic names and attire; they became known as Mozarabs.
Reconquista
In the 11th century, Muslim dynasties in northern Spain fell apart, and Christian kingdoms began taking back territory through military orders that combined both fighting and religious service. This process was expedited through military orders that combined fighting with spiritual service.
Later on, however, an identity for Spain would emerge and become part of national discourse. Today, far-right parties such as VOX utilize Reconquista as an emblematic piece to support their vision for Spain.
Christian Kingdoms
Christian forces gradually gained control of Spain during the Middle Ages through violence-fueled rebellion, not always motivated by religion.
In 711, North African Berber troops joined by Arabs invaded Spain (then known as Al-Andalus). Together they defeated Visigothic invaders and established a Muslim Caliphate that still exists today.
Soon, however, this Caliphate disintegrated into several Muslim kingdoms known as Taifas that often competed for religious and political supremacy among themselves.
Spanish Empire
From the 15th to 19th centuries, Spain was an imperial power with large overseas territories, its culture heavily influenced by colonies abroad and religious evangelization of indigenous populations a priority.
Unfortunately, however, the empire was soon lost through wars in Morocco and bankruptcies on juros. By 1868 a pronunciamiento was organized by generals and politicians denied power under previous regimes.
19th Century
Francisco de Goya’s dark pinturas negras capture this reality of 19th Century Spain.
Military interventions and coups (pronunciamientos) shook Spain’s foundational institutions, leading to worker discontentment, political assassinations attempts and street rioting.
Churches played an essential part in Spanish colonialism overseas. Evangelization was part of its mandate, while Catholic orthodoxy remains an influential cultural factor across Spanish America.
Canovas del Castillo
Canovas was one of the driving forces behind Spain’s restoration period. Opposing universal suffrage and seeking to strengthen national identity, his strict policies proved controversial among workers.
At only 32 years old, he achieved international renown for his study of Spanish history, being elected into the Real Academia de Historia and helping to curb forces of change while creating stability for half a century.
Spanish Civil War
On July 18th 1936, military officers led by General Francisco Franco (later dictator) staged a successful military coup and seized most of Spain and Morocco without much resistance – enjoying support from monarchists and conservative elements of the church.
Worker uprisings were in response, leading to workers seizing factories and an increasingly powerful Communist Party.