History of Spain
History of Spain dates back to Antiquity, when pre-Roman peoples around the Mediterranean coast of the Iberian Peninsula met Greeks and Phoenicians and formed the first writing systems known as Paleohispanic scripts. Habsburg Spain consolidated a variety of distinct previous kingdoms in 1516; its contemporary form of constitutional monarchy was established in 1813, and the present democratic constitution was established in 1978.
Following the Reconquista, the Crown of Castile began exploring beyond the Atlantic Ocean in 1492, marking the start of the Spanish Empire’s Golden Age. In 1516, the Crown of Castile, the Crown of Aragon, and lesser kingdoms were united under Habsburg control, bringing the Crown of Castile, the Crown of Aragon, and minor kingdoms under the same rule. Habsburg Spain was Europe’s most powerful state until the 1650s. Until the early nineteenth century, Spain was one of the most powerful countries in the world.
Early settlers of Spain:
The presence of hominids on the Iberian Peninsula dates back to the Lower Palaeolithic period, according to finds at Atapuerca (Burgos province), which are estimated to be 800,000 years old. Experts are still discussing the origins of these early inhabitants, who may have arrived straight from Africa through the Straits of Gibraltar, but more likely via the Pyrenees. In any event, the utensils and works of art discovered on the peninsula are most likely from this time period, and relate to the same hunter-gatherer civilizations found elsewhere in Europe.
Roman presence:
The history of Spain dates back to roman time. The Roman presence on the peninsula followed the same pattern as the Greek commercial outposts, but unlike the Greeks, Rome’s entry to Iberia came as a result of a power battle with Carthage in the 2nd century B.C. for dominance of the Western Mediterranean. In any case, it was at this point that the Iberian Peninsula as a geographical unit entered international politics, and became a highly prized strategic target due to its privileged location between the Atlantic and the Mediterranean, as well as its abundant agricultural and mineral resources in the south.
Between 218 and 19 B.C., the Roman invasion and subsequent control of the peninsula took place over a protracted period of time. The Carthaginian expansion to the northeast disturbed the Romans, who, like Napoleon centuries later, believed that the Ebro River marked a natural border with Gaul, which was then a Roman province.
The Second Punic War sprang from this conflict of interests. The Roman troops were attacking Hannibal’s Spanish base at Carthago Nova (modern-day Cartagena), which had a harbour and mines, while he was conducting his fabled voyage through the Alps.
Collapse of second republic:
The history of spain includes many ups and downs. The Pact of San Sebastian was formed in August 1930 by Republican, Socialist, and Catalan nationalist politicians, and on December 12, a military rebellion in support of the republic took place at Jaca. Officers Galán and Garca Hernández were shot, prompting Berenguer’s resignation and the declaration of “At the Service of the Republic” by a group of intellectuals including Ortega y Gasset, Maraón, and Pérez de Ayala.
The last monarchic government was created in February 1931, and municipal elections were held on April 12th, with the left and Republicans winning in the major cities. The Second Republic was declared on April 14th. Alfonso XIII abdicated his throne and fled into exile.
Music era:
Some of Spain’s best music is from the history of spain’s time period. Tomás Luis de Victoria, Luis de Milán, and Alonso Lobo shaped Renaissance music and counterpoint and polychoral music genres, and their impact lasted well into the Baroque period.
Ancient Spanish literature:
The work of Miguel de Cervantes, the author of Don Quixote de la Mancha, is a renowned example of how Spanish literature flourished. Lope de Vega, Spain’s most prolific writer, is thought to have written over a thousand plays during his lifetime, with over 400 of them surviving to this day.
Ancient Spanish art:
Both in Spain and Austria, the Habsburgs were generous benefactors of the arts. El Escorial, King Philip II’s grand royal abbey, drew the attention of some of Europe’s greatest architects and painters. Diego Velázquez, one of Europe’s most prominent painters and a well-respected artist in his own day, developed a friendship with King Philip IV and his senior minister, the Count-Duke of Olivares, and left us several portraits that demonstrate his style and expertise. El Greco, a well-known Greek artist of the time, relocated in Spain and infused Spanish art with Italian Renaissance traditions, resulting in a uniquely Spanish style.
