As Roman control in Hispania declined, Germanic tribes invaded and established Visigothic kingdoms; then Muslims from North Africa arrived and established Al-Andalus.
These cultures combined, yielding one of the most fruitful processes in European history: their Latin legacy laid the groundwork for modern Spanish.
1. Roman conquest
Pre-Roman era on Iberian Peninsula saw the development of numerous cultures including those of Tartessians and Lusitanians who interacted with Greek and Roman colonizers to form what became known as Hispania culture.
After the fall of Rome, Christian monarchs led an extended Reconquista to drive out Muslim rule from Hispania all the way to Granada – this period being one of significant crisis for Spain.
2. Christian conquest
Ferdinand of Aragon and Isabella of Castile created an empire known for violence, exploitation and exclusion. Forcing Catholic unity onto diverse people by forcibly converting many Jews and Muslims to Christianity forced many out into exile.
However, this period saw the establishment of an imperial power that relied heavily on silver from the New World.
3. Muslim conquest
In 711, Muslims began invading Spain under Tariq’s leadership of Berber warriors from North Africa. Under their tamer leadership they swiftly marched across Iberian Peninsula extinguishing Visigoth Christian rule and creating an era known as al-Andalus.
Even as Muslim rulers imposed restrictions on non-Muslims, cultural exchange thrived despite these limitations. Jewish and Christian clerics, luxury goods, art motifs and ancient ideas passed freely across its ever-shifting borders for centuries-long empire.
4. Inquisition
The Inquisition was an integral component of Spanish Empire. Its tribunals conducted searches to detect heresy among Jews and Conversos, though many managed to escape punishment by paying bribes to Inquisitorial officials.
It was founded on expulsion of all non-Christians from Spain and its colonies; autos-da-fes were common. Yet the Inquisition also fostered intellectual creativity and promoted cross-cultural exchange; leaving its mark across history worldwide.
5. Thirty Years War
The Thirty Years War was one of the deadliest periods in European history. Famine, disease and plague claimed thousands of lives and decimated entire societies.
Meanwhile, favouritism drained Spain of her funds, while Louis XIV found it hard to resist the allure of exploiting a weak Spanish state.
Cultural nationalism emerged with Catalonian independence movements and flamenco music became known for its spontaneous nature.
6. Restoration
After the Glorious Revolution, Cortes adopted a liberal constitution and King Amadeus II attempted to reconcile different political ideologies; unfortunately he failed and Spain entered an era of radicalisation which eventually resulted in civil war.
This period witnessed a revitalization of regional cultures. Poetry saw Federico Garcia Lorca and Rafael Alberti emerge. Art produced hybrid Plateresque designs (horseshoe arches, geminate windows sharing a central column, square-shaped apses) as well as Santiago de Compostela Cathedral.
7. Alfonso X
Alfonso became known as the Wise due to his association with scholars. He encouraged knowledge of nature, mathematics and architecture and established translation schools in Toledo and Salamanca; literary culture flourished with learned poetry making an appearance alongside a revival in drama.
He founded the first vernacular law code, Siete Partidas. As one of 23 Kings depicted on marble relief above the gallery doors in House chamber of U.S. Capitol he stands as an inspiration.
8. Philip V
After the War of Succession, Philip V assumed both French and Spanish thrones simultaneously, setting in motion an enormous transformation of Spain’s role within Europe.
Historians have often criticized Philip for favoring his French heritage over Spanish duties, yet he did implement army reforms and promote the formation of royal academies dedicated to history, medicine, law and art.
He struggled with sexual compulsions and acute melancholia.
9. Charles V
Charles V was an ardent monarch, fighting to unify all of his kingdoms with diverse traditions.
He lived through a time of religious, political, and economic upheaval.
He led Europe in its battle against Protestantism and was required to consider global issues when running an empire of Americas. After his death in 1558, his hereditary and imperial lands were divided among his sons and divided among their properties as part of an inheritance plan.
10. Revolution
Spain’s loss of colonies and economic crisis precipitated a widespread leftist movement, spearheaded by anarchist trade unionism centered around local industrial unions known as sindicato unico.
Libertarian syndicalists saw society becoming socialized via two phases or aspects. Expropriation and the formation of industrial federations would be one of them.