Spanish Colonialism refers to the period from the late 15th century to the 19th century when Spain established colonies and trading posts across the world. This era of expansion was driven by the desire for wealth, the spread of Catholicism, and the quest for glory and power.
The roots of Spanish colonialism can be traced back to the Reconquista, the centuries-long effort to drive the Moors from the Iberian Peninsula. After the fall of Granada in 1492, Spain turned its attention outward. That same year, Christopher Columbus's voyages led to the discovery of the Americas, marking the beginning of the Colonial Period.
The Spanish conquest was characterized by several key events and figures:
Spain established a complex administrative system:
Spanish colonialism had a profound impact on the culture of colonized regions:
Spain sought wealth through:
The decline of Spanish colonial power was influenced by:
Spanish colonialism left a mixed legacy, with:
Source: Britannica - Spanish Colonialism, ThoughtCo - Spanish Colonization of the Americas, History.com - Spanish Colonization