Table of Contents: Spanish History!
Bronze or Helladic Age 3200 BC to 1100 BC.
Hannibal 219 BC.
The Romans 202 BC.
Constantine, 306 AD.
The Moors 711 AD.
The rise of the Christians 1100 AD.
Ferdinand and Isabella, 1450 AD.
Hapsburgs out, Bourbons in 1700 AD.
First Spanish Republic 1873 AD.
Civil War and Dictators 1936 A.D.
Francisco Franco is still dead 1975 AD.
Many people believe that Spanish history starts around 15,000 BC. This belief is due to pre-historic paintings in the cave of Altamira in northern Spain. They indeed are a vital glimpse into pre-historic Spain. Surprisingly though, they are not the first sign of people.
For that, we need to look in another Spanish cave in the Atapuerca Mountains near the Bay of Biscay. In addition to cave paintings, they find a flint tool dating back 1.4 million years.
They uncover human fossils dating to around 1.2 million years ago. In general, that’s about the only Spanish history from this period.
Not so pre-historic Spanish history.
7000 BC. – 3200 BC. The Neolithic period brings people from further east along the Mediterranean and possibly North Africa. Settlements appear along the coast, but overall they seem to be nomadic. In short, not too much Spanish history yet.
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Bronze or Helladic Age.
(3200 BC to 1100 BC). As a result of the invention of tools and weapons from bronze, the cultures advance. Excavations indicate that the Celts from today’s central Germany and France slowly inhabit the area around 1000 BC. Many of these make their way to the northwestern part of the peninsula.
The “Maritime” design of Bell Beaker pottery comes from Iberia. It is precisely from communities along the Tagus estuary in modern-day Portugal. They are still finding pieces dating to around 2800-2700 BC.
Sometime between 1100 B.C. – 800 B.C., the Phoenicians, who are spreading their trading empire west along the Mediterranean, reach Spain. At this time, they find a few people farming in the area. But not many.
Then they establish trading ports along the south coast to give them access to the vast mineral wealth of the area. One of these ports is Gades (Cadiz).
The Greeks, also spreading west, reach Spain around 800 BC. They refer to the locals as the Hiberia. They begin developing trading colonies along the east coast.
Spanish History in the Iron Age.
By the 7th century B.C., the Iron Age (tools and weapons from iron) extends to the Iberian Peninsula. There are distinct civilizations. Inland, you have the farming communities of the Celts and their descendants, such as the Lusitanians, Celtiberians, Gallaeci, and others.
Along the coast, you have the Phoenicians, Greeks, and now the Carthaginians from North Africa. They will establish their most important port, Cartagena, around 227 BC.
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Hannibal from Carthage.
In 219 BC, young Hannibal is still seething from his father’s defeat by the Romans in the First Punic War. (264 to 241 BC.)
He takes his anger out on Saguntum (near today’s Valencia), an ally of the Romans. Rome declares war with Carthage and the Second Punic War begins.
Hannibal marches east, over the Alps, and attacks Italy. For the next ten years, his savage attacks shred Italy and spread to Greece and Sicily.
The Iberian Peninsula is out of the direct line of attack. However, they are a workforce for Hannibal’s armies. In 209 BC., the Roman General Scipio marches west to cut off this pipeline. He captures Carthago Nova (Cartagena), Carthage’s stronghold in Iberia. Enslaving or massacring his way across Iberia, by 206 BC., he clears Iberia of Carthage colonies.
He crosses to N Africa and continues his Carthaginian removal campaign. He meets Hannibal at Zama in 202 BC. After an ugly battle, Rome emerges triumphant.
There’s going to be _ _ _ _ to pay.
With the Roman victory, Carthage and all its supporters fall under the Roman rule. Someone has to pay for the costly war, and Rome knows who.
At the same time, the Romans began invading Gaul (France, Belgium, and Northern Italy). Starting in Northern Italy, they move west. By 123 BC., Rome is ruling everything along the Mediterranean West. They give the most western area, the name Lusitania (Portugal).
The remaining territory they call “Hispania.” (Today’s Spain).
51 B.C. – Julius Caesar overthrows the last tribe of Celts in Northern Gaul and claims all of Gaul. Now Rome rules everything west.
All Spain, into Three Parts.
14 B.C. Rome reorganizes the empire. For Hispania, this means it is now three Imperial provinces.
- Lusitania – Modern-day Portugal.
- Baetica – The S.W. part of today’s Spain (Andalusia).
- Hispania Tarraconensis – the other 3/4th of today’s Spain
Within these, there are territorial divisions that oversee the local jurisdiction. Also, at this time, there are four dominant languages in Hispania.
- Basque, which is still in use today.
- Iberian in the east and southeast.
- Celtiberian is the language of the Celts in northeast Hispania.
- Gallaecian is the language of the people in the northwest.
The last three will disappear as non-classical Latin replaces them.
I think I’m going to like it here.
As Spanish history shoes, life under Roman rule is not entirely awful. They rebuild the old cities are starting new ones. Hispania supplies the ever-growing Roman Empire with olive oil, food, wine, and metals. The Roman aristocrats slowly accept Hispania leaders into their circles.
During the rule of Vespasian (69 AD., – 79 AD.), he extends the rights of Romans to the people of Hispania. This act allows Hispanians into the military. Future emperor Trajan, born in Hispania, will become one of the most significant Roman soldier-emperors.
The empire grows and has enormous prosperity, reaching its greatest extent during the reign of Trajan (98 – 117 AD.).
Then, not learning from its history, the empire begins to slide the slippery slope to destruction. Abuses of power, civil wars, etc. etc., lead to instability of the leaders and a split between the citizens. Unfortunately, Spanish history is Roman history. It slides right along with Rome.
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A new approach.
Constantine the Great becomes the senior western emperor in 306 AD., upon his father’s death.
Specifically, he begins administrative, financial, social, and military reforms to rebuild. These changes, including the separation of civil and military leadership, and currency based on gold, stabilize the empire.
Also, in 313 AD., he takes part in the signing of the Edict of Milan. This act gives Christianity a legal status. It will not become the official religion of the empire until 580 AD., under Emperor Theodosius.
What goes up.
In 324 AD., Constantine puts down the last faction in the east and becomes the sole ruler of the empire.
330 AD., he establishes a second capital in the eastern city of Byzantium, famous for its strategic location. It was such a great idea at the time.
Now we know it was the beginning of the end of the Western Roman Empire.
476 AD. With resources spread between two capitals, the western empire can no longer defend itself. Hispania falls to the Suebi and Vandals, both Germanic forces. Twenty years later, they fall to the Germanic Visigoths.
By now, the “local” Latin has taken on a “local” dialect. Although it borrows from other languages, Germanic languages have very little influence. The local dialect word of “Iberia” soon replaces the Roman name “Hispania.” Spanish history is now German history.
The Visigoths are in control until the 8th century A.D.
The Moors.
The Moors are a nomadic (wandering) people living in North Africa. In 711 AD., they “wander” across the strait of Gibraltar taking their Islamic culture and religion with them. By 718, they are in control of most of Hispania and begin to spread north.
By 720 AD., they are crossing the Pyrenees Mountains and threatening to take over the Franks. The Franks stop the Arab invasion and push them back over the Pyrenees. This act forms a boundary that keeps the Moors in Hispania.
Al-Andalus.
Al-Andalus, or Muslim Spain, is under the control of a local Emir, who reports to the Caliph in Damascus. When the Abbasid Dynasty overthrows the Umayyad Caliphate in 750, the Caliph flees to Al-Andalus. He declares it independent and himself the independent Emir.
He creates the Emirate of Cordoba, which includes Portugal and Spain except for the northern (today’s Basque) region. It remains Christian.
With in-fighting between the Islamic rulers, and the Christians fighting among themselves, it is a weak emirate.
In 912 AD, Abd ar-Rahman III becomes Emir and sets out to change things. First, he suppresses the rebel factions. Next, he goes after the governors who are still loyal to the Caliph.
Starting in 917 AD., he also begins attacking the Christian kingdoms to the north.
Empire for one.
In 929 AD., he considers himself powerful enough to declare himself Caliph of Cordoba. This move breaks any last ties with the other caliphs. He orders a grand palace complex for himself in Cordoba, the Medina Azahara.
He continues to fight both Christians and Muslims who do not support him until his death circa 961 A.D. By this time, the Caliph of Cordoba is a power to respect.
The city of Cordoba is one of the most important cities in the world. A major trading center, it is also a center of learning exceeding most of those in other parts of Europe. Jews and Christians play a role in the Royal Court and the intellectual life of the city.
His son Al-Hakam II is more a patron of knowledge than a fighter. Although the Caliphate does not lose power, it also doesn’t gain any. He uses his time in power to improve economic development and secure peace with the Catholic kingdoms in the north.
His son, Hisham II, takes control in 976 A.D., at the age of 11. Too young to rule, he hands his power over to Almanzor, as a de facto leader. Almanzor sends the youngster into exile so he can rule the Caliphate alone. Over the next 20 years, he successfully beats Christian powers in the north. These include Barcelona in 985, Leon in 988, and Santiago de Compostela in 998. By his death in 1002 A.D., the Caliphate of Cordoba is at the height of its power.
What goes up.
What follows is the beginning of the end of the Caliphate. Over the next eight years, a series of betrayals, murders, in-fighting, and battles sees five Caliphs take control. The last of these is Hisham II, finally out of exile with the support of the Slavic army. But he is a puppet.
The Berber army does not support him. They overthrow Cordoba, destroying much of it. No one is sure what happens to Hisham II.
Over the next 18 years, there are ten different Caliphs of Cordoba, some serving twice. By 1031 there is little left of the Caliphate. Local Taifas (municipalities) grab the remaining land and power.
There are now 33 Taifas, but they will soon start gobbling each other up. By 1080 AD., approximately 12 Taifas are remaining. Of these, Seville, Badajoz, Toledo, and Zaragoza are several times larger than the rest.
Careful what you ask For.
1086 AD. The Muslim Taifa princes seek help from Yusuf ibn Tashfin, the leader of the Almoravids Berber tribe in Morocco. They need support against the Christian kingdoms applying pressure from the north. He comes, he sees, he defeats Castile and returns home.
Then in 1090 AD., he is back for his reward. He wants all of the Taifa principalities in Iberia and has the force to take them. Also, he has the backing of the people, no longer happy with their over-taxing, lavish-spending rulers.
In 1097 he became Commander of the Muslims. The Almoravids are at the peak of their power. Can you guess what comes next?
The Tide Turns.
The Christian kingdoms receive help from the French. In a series of victories, the north takes Zaragoza, most everything north of Toledo and Portugal.
At the same time, the Almohad, a new Berber Muslim movement in Morocco, attack from the south. They are in control of Morocco by 1147 and Islamic Iberia by 1172. They hold on to Iberia for the next 40 years but are not able to advance. Christians and Jews do not fare well at this time. The new rulers kill many of those who do not flee.
By 1212 A.D., an alliance of Christian princes from Aragon, Castile, Navarre, and Portugal defeat the Almohads. The Christians regain Cordova in 1236 AD., and Seville 12 years later. By 1250 AD. The only Muslim area in Iberia is the kingdom of Granada.
Throughout the Christian kingdoms of Iberia, there are numerous languages.
They consider the language of the realm of Castile one of culture and communication. Soon the other dialects fade in favor of Castilian. (Spanish).
Through marriage, the Kingdom of Aragon and the County of Barcelona become one in 1164 AD. Also, they will acquire the kingdoms of Valencia, Majorca, Sicily, Sardinia, and Corsica over the next 250 years.
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Divide Iberia into three parts.
By 1450 AD, there are three major kingdoms.
- Aragon in the northeast.
- Castile in the north and central areas.
- Portugal in the far west.
1469 AD. Ferdinand II of Aragon, heir apparent to the crown of Aragon, marries Isabella of Castile, sister of the Castile King. In other words, now there are only three on paper.
1474 AD. King Henry IV of Castile dies. Of course, most of Europe jumps into the power struggle. A two-year war follows between supporters of Joanna, (Henry’s Daughter), and Isabella, (Henry’s sister).
Isabella wins and rules jointly with her husband.
1478 AD – Ferdinand and Isabella established the Tribunal of the Holy Office of the Inquisition. Also, charmingly referred to as the Spanish Inquisition.
After forcing Jews and Muslims to convert to Catholicism, they prosecute them for not being Catholic enough. They take control of it away from the Pope as he does not support it.
By 1481 they host their first Auto-da-fe (Act of faith). This spectacle is public penance by the heretic. Then, they burn them at the stake. Soon they have regular schedules for the trials and committees to make sure they have people to try. Over the next 350 years, they will prosecute around 150,000 victims.
1479 AD. The kingdom of Portugal wins sovereignty (control) in the Atlantic.
1482 AD. Ferdinand and Isabella set their sights on the last Moorish holdout, Granada. It takes ten years but in 1492, they complete the Reconquista of Muslim Spain when Grenada surrenders. In the Treaty of Grenada, they guarantee religious tolerance towards Muslims. Spanish history is finally “Spanish” history.
All for One, (If You Are Catholic).
In the same year, Ferdinand and Isabella issued the Alhambra Decree. It is for the expulsion of all practicing Jews from Castile and Aragon. Perhaps 200,000 Jews convert to Catholicism while up to 100,000 others go into exile.
Also that year, Columbus sails the ocean blue. His destination, the land Leif Erikson finds 400 years earlier but does not exploit. Columbus does not make the same mistake, and spoils from the Americas support Spain for the next 200 years.
In 1495 AD., they conquer the last of the Canary Islands.
1502 AD. Ten years after the Treaty of Grenada, they outlaw Islam. This move creates more victims for the Inquisition.
Isabella is also a matchmaker. She marries off each of her five children to families that will benefit her. Spanish history does not hold a monopoly on loveless marriages for political gain.
- Isabella – marries the Prince of Portugal.
- John – marries into the Hapsburgs of Holy Roman Empire fame.
- Joanna – Also marries into the Hapsburgs. To be sure, there’s a link.
- Maria – Picks up where Isabella drops the ball. She also marries into the royal family of Portugal.
- Catherine – Marries King Henry VIII of England and has a daughter, Queen Mary I of England.
1497 AD. John dies without an heir.
1498 AD. Isabella dies with an heir, Miguel. But, he follows her two years later.
If You Want Anything Done Right.
1504 A.D., Queen Isabella dies. Joanna, now her oldest living child, becomes Queen of Castile. Her father declares her insane and locks her up. At the same time, he announces himself as Governor of Castile. He now controls both kingdoms. Who needs daughters?
1506 A.D. Philip I of the house of Hapsburg, husband to Joanna, dies.
1516 A.D.Ferdinand dies. Joanna inherits his kingdom. But, she is in jail, so her son Charles I becomes co-monarch. He rules both Castile and Aragon as a unified Spain.
1519 A.D., Charles I of Spain becomes Charles V, the Holy Roman Emperor. (Remember, he’s a Hapsburg.)
Bloody Mary is the girl I love.
What does England have to do with Spanish history?
1554 AD – Charles arranges the marriage of his son Philip II to Queen Mary I of England. (She is his maternal first cousin. Yes, there is quite a bit of that in Spanish history as well). Phillip II becomes King of England. They both try to restore Roman Catholicism to their kingdoms. Surprisingly, he and Mary are both a nightmare for Protestants. During her five-year reign, Mary burns over 280 religious dissenters at the stake. It earns her the name Bloody Mary.
1556 AD. – Philip II becomes King of Spain upon his father’s death. During his reign, Spain reaches its pinnacle in power with territories on every continent known to man at that time. This reach includes the Philippines, his namesake. It is the Golden Age in Spanish history.
1558 AD – Queen Mary I dies, and her half-sister Elizabeth I becomes queen. Philip II returns to Spain.
1581 AD. Philip II of Spain also becomes Philip I of Portugal after Cardinal King Henry dies. This crowning begins the Philippine Dynasty.
Unfortunately, the Philippine Dynasty is a time of decay for the kingdom. Both Philip III and IV leave a little legacy.
Charles II (1665 – 1700) does shine a glaring light on the Inquisition, breaking its power. Unfortunately, it will continue in some form for another 130 years.
Make mine Bourbon.
In 1700 AD., Philip V, from the house of Bourbon, becomes king ending a long string of Hapsburg kings. The Bourbons will be in and out of Spanish history for the next 300+ years.
More Bourbon kings follow who merely steer the ship of state. As a result, Spain does not grow.
In 1759, Charles III took the throne. Having already been the king of Naples and Sicily since 1734, he is ready to rule Spain. He takes Spain out of its isolation and energizes trade and commerce. Also, he gives money to education and tries to reduce the influence of the church. He rules until 1788.
Another 20 years of run-of-the-mill ruling again until 1808.
The Man with the Napoleon Complex.
Ferdinand VII takes the throne in March of 1808. Two months later, he abdicates, and Napoleon places him under house arrest for the next six years. In his place, he chooses his brother Joseph Bonaparte as King of Spain.
The Spanish people are not happy with him forcing a king on them. Soon they are fighting against the French. The war will go on until the defeat of Napoleon in 1814.
- The Council of Castile reverses Ferdinand’s abdication. It takes Napoleon five years to agree that the king can return to Spain.
The Spanish-American War of Independence begins in the Americas. Not only do they require Spanish funding, but they also disrupt the export of Spanish riches to Spain. Spain is close to bankruptcy.
Also, the British navy cuts of Spanish ships from reaching “New Spain.” The colonies start trading with American and Dutch traders. Then they begin to declare their independence. Spain only holds on to Cuba and Puerto Rico.
One more Bourbon.
In 1812 the liberals drew up a Constitution. Ferdinand has to agree to govern based on it. He regains the throne. At the same time, he has the reformers who wrote the constitution put in jail.
- The army stages a revolt in favor of the Constitution of 1812. Furthermore, they take Ferdinand as a prisoner.
- The French invade Spain to preserve the throne for a descendant of Henry IV. In August of that year, Ferdinand returns to the throne.
- Ferdinand dies. Right before dying, he puts aside the law saying succession can only be by a male relative. Therefore his infant daughter Isabella II becomes queen. Because of this, Ferdinand’s brother Don Carlos starts a revolt.
Isabella’s mother, as regent for her daughter, issues amnesty to any liberals in exile who will return and support Isabella. As a result, they do. As a result of this, civil wars break out. They will continue until 1878.
- The Glorious Revolution lead by the military results in the deposition of Queen Isabella II. Surprisingly, they put an Italian prince in as the king. He is not successful and only lasts two years. For this reason, they replace him with the First Spanish Republic.
In the same year, Cuba rebels against Spain during the Ten Years War. It brings an end to slavery in Spain’s colonies.
The First Spanish Republic.
- As most republics do in Europe, it only lasts a short time.
The political leaders proclaim King Alfonso XII as king. He is Isabella’s son. So much for the Republic.
The Bourbon Restoration.
Alfonso only rules for ten years before dying at age 27. At that time, he brings peace to Spain and its colonies. Also, he creates government finance and administrative systems, and he is available to the people.
His son Alfonso XIII becomes king with his mother as regent the first sixteen years. However, problems out of his control make the liberal monarchy questionable.
They write up the constitution of 1876. It is the first time they refer to the kingdom as “España” (Spain).
- The USS Maine explodes in Havana Harbor, setting off the Spanish-American War. By the end, Spain will lose the Philippines and the last New World colonies; Puerto Rico and Cuba.
At home, political representation for all, the growing poor, and a pesky Spanish Flu epidemic do nothing to improve morale.
1923. A military coup ends with a dictator who the monarchy supports. Also, the world economy tanks after the Wall Street Crash of 1929.
- A municipal election chooses a Republic over sovereignty.
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The Second Spanish Republic.
Alcalá-Zamora, a member of the liberal party, is the choice for the first president of the Spanish Republic. It creates escalating political violence from the left and right. Also, coups take place regularly, and the fascist and anarchist movements gain in support.
The Spanish Civil War breaks out. The Nationalist Aristocratic Group goes up against those supporting the Republic. Leading them is General Francisco Franco. The war is costly in finances and lives. Up to one million people are dead, and it ends with the total collapse of the Republic. As a result, this is a dark time in Spanish history.
Francisco Franco becomes a dictator of Spain, and he organizes his fascist party, the Falange. He bans the left-wing and Republican parties and executes up to 150,000 of them. Another 50,000 dies of starvation in concentration camps. He bans trade unions and political parties except for his.
Spain stays neutral through World War II.
In the 1960s, Spain loses most of its remaining African colonies. Close to his death in 1975, Franco’s power wavers. Morocco swoops in and grabs Spanish Sahara, the last colonial possession.
Another Bourbon, Please.
1976 and another Bourbon restoration occurs as Juan Carlos I, grandson of Alfonso XIII, takes the throne. Spain moves from the overly conservative dictatorship of Franco to a more liberal constitutional monarchy. Of course, this does not happen without controversy and coups. It takes until 1982. The Spanish Constitution of 1978 meets with mass approval.
Spain joins the European Union, and in 1992, they host the Summer Olympics.
Spanish History Recap.
Of course, a lot of other things happen along the way.
You can “see” much of the Spanish history through the 46 cultural or natural UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Spain ranks #3 on the World Heritage List for sites.
Although today, Spain is a united country, it retains regional (indigenous) groups. These include the Basques, Catalans, Castilians, and several others.
And they all live happily ever after.