Three major events put Spain on its journey towards becoming Europe’s greatest empire. Fernando and Isabella conquered Granada to end seven centuries of Moorish rule on Iberia.
Christopher Columbus sailed to the Americas and embarked on Spain’s quest for riches and glory, while military officers who had been denied power under previous regimes staged a revolution that resulted in Spain establishing its second republic – its inaugural true democracy in history.
Roman Empire
Roman rule over Hispania began shortly after Carthage was defeated in the Second Punic War, lasting approximately 600 years. They brought with them Latin as their language of communication, leaving an imprint upon Spanish culture such as caballo (horse), camiar (walking), and flecha (arrow). Much of Hispanian cuisine and architecture also derive their inspiration from this source.
Diocletian attempted to unify his empire through the division of military and civilian functions as well as sharing power among colleagues, but his experiment ultimately failed. Still, its legacy would endure and serve as an important example for later European monarchies and international law in terms of cuius regio, eius religio; Spain established its initial American colonies during this timeframe as well.
Visigoths
Visigoths were Spain’s dominant rulers from the fifth to early eighth centuries and left an indelible mark on her culture and history. They were among the first rulers to envision a united Iberian Peninsula under one single ruler and their legal codes set a precedent for centralized governance with equality before law; their Catholicism created a lasting alliance between monarchy and Church while their architectural and artistic traditions (particularly metalwork and jewellery making) helped form Mozarabic styles of later years.
Visigoths also introduced a literary culture, producing such notable authors as St. Isidore, known for writing an encyclopedia of world knowledge known as “Etymologiae.” Though Visigothic culture and language eventually faded away, its legacy lived on through medieval Spain.
Moors
In 711, under the leadership of a Berber general, Muslim forces from across North Africa conquered Spain and Portugal and formed al-Andalus – becoming an epicenter for culture, science, art, trade and commerce during medieval Europe.
These architects created some of the continent’s most remarkable monuments, such as the Great Mosque of Cordoba and Alhambra. Additionally, they revitalized agriculture through new crops while also introducing paper and Arabic numerals into Europe.
Moorish rule was not without its problems. They treated non-Muslims as second-class citizens and was not always peaceful. Furthermore, the term “Moor” has an intricate and contentious history in many cultures; eventually becoming adopted by the sovereign citizen movement here in America which claims their members descend from Moors who predated white settlers and thus are exempt from American laws.
Al-Andalus
The 8th century saw Spain undergo a significant change when Islamic Arab armies took control of most of the country – this period, known as Al-Andalus, left an impactful legacy that is still felt today. Arabic became the predominant language, while many cultural aspects from Al-Andalus remain present today (such as some dish names). Cities developed around mosques and markets while communities flourished with social spaces like public baths.
Abd al-Rahman I was an adept politician and adeptly maneuvered against rival factions within Al-Andalus. He implemented internal reforms such as creating a council of state and revamping of judiciary as well as embellishing Cordoba with beautiful mosques, schools and hospitals.
Spanish Civil War
The Spanish Civil War saw republicans battle Nationalists. The Republican coalition comprised liberals and socialists who pursued radical reforms like land reform in order to address disparate conditions between wealthy landowners and millions of peasants, secularisation of education and lessening Catholic church influence.
Conflict in Spain had been simmering for three years and had become so intense that brothers killed brothers; teachers, artists, and priests who supported certain political ideologies were murdered for their support of these causes.
Republicans had little hope of winning their war on their own and sought military assistance from foreign countries – France and Great Britain turned down any help, while Hitler and Mussolini gave Franco their full backing, including sending troops smuggled in from Morocco into Spain. Nationalist forces won on 1 April 1939 but continued fighting civil unrest for another decade after their victory was assured.