Spain Builds an Empire

Happenings in Spain

• 1492: Final Moor rulers (Muslims) driven out

Extent of Muslim Empire in Spain

1492Columbus

Treaty of Tordesillas• Split earth in two hemispheres between

Portugal and Spain• Spain got New World, north and south, except

Brazil

Early Colonization

• Hispaniola (where Columbus landed), Caribbean, and central America colonized by 1515

Conquistadors

• Cortes-conquered Aztecs ~1520-Mexico

• Pizarro-conquered Incas ~1530-Peru

• By 1550, much of South America conquered

North America

• Late 1500s and early 1600s: Expanded into Florida and W of Missipppi

Precious Metals!

• Immense silver and gold stores in Americas radically increased Spain’s global standing, transformed Europe’s place in world

Twilight of Spain

• By 19th C, Britain and other N. Euro countries were more powerful

• Spain had internal and external problems, began to lose or sell colonies

And…

• New Imperialism would soon replace the old empires like Spain’s!

Documents