Spanish History - a recap.

 Last time we were travelling in Spain I did a (very) abridged version of Spanish history.  I hope to learn a little more on this visit but here is the recap from 2018.....

I take no responsibility for any mistakes or perceived insults to the Spanish people or nation.

Iberian tribes

Phoenicians settled in some coastal areas

Romans till 4th Century AD

Visigoths till 8th Century AD

Moors till 11th Century AD covered all but the north of Spain.  Ruled by the Caliphate of Córdoba, receding gradually but hung on in Córdoba and Granada areas till defeated at Granada in 1492 by the Catholic Rulers, Isabel of Castile and Fernando of Aragon. 

Catholics Kings and Queens ruled from North Spain and eventually all of Spain.

1492 - Columbus discovers Americas, he is Italian from Genoa, lived in Portugal for early adulthood and sailed for Spain.

16th Century - Spanish expansion in Americas - Mexico, Argentina, Peru, Chile, Cuba, Hispaniola, Columbia.  Also control Netherlands and Low Countries, probably through marriage of the Monarchs.

1588 - lose Spanish Armada, 133 ships invading England against Drake.  What a shame!

17th Century Golden Era - Art and enlightenism but weakening Empire.

War of Spanish Succession 1701-1714 -  between the Hapsburg family branch of Spanish monarchs and the victorious Bourbon (French) family - fought around Europe.  Philip V of Anjou named King of Spain but Spain loses European territories in Italy, Low Countries, Austria.  Britain gains Spain's trade rights in Americas and possession of Gibraltar.

Napoleon becomes Spainish ruler by force.

Napoleonic Wars - Defeat of Spanish and French Fleet by Admiral Nelson at Battle of Trafalgar 1805 off coast of Cadiz.  

Napoleons brother Joseph becomes King of Spain 1808-1814.  Virtual rule by French.

War of Independence (Peninsular War) to oust French from Spain.  Duke of Wellington and British help win Battle of Talavera against French in 1809.

1898 Cuba and Philippines win War of Independence against Spain - 50,000 Spanish die. Last Colony from Americas.

Beginning of 1900's - Period of General unrest - Anarchists, Comminists, Republicans.

Nationalist General Franco came to power 1935-1975 - supported by Hitler and Mussolini.  Civil War 1935-1939 after which Franco executed remaining Republicans.  Spain largely irrelevant during Second World War but nominally allied to Germans.  Many Spanish volunteers fought with Germany on the Eastern Front with agreement of Franco but Franco was determined not to been seen to fight against the Western Alliance although he tended towards Hitler for support.

After 1945 internationally isolated till 1955 when US accept Spain into UN in return for agreeing to US military bases in Spain.

1962 Start of tourism boom into Spain.

1968 and 1969 Spain won the Eurovision Song Contest - won in 1968 with La, La, La and equal winners with Lulu's Boom Bang a Bang in 1969.  A big moment for Spanish History!

1975 Franco dies return to Monarchy and 1977 democracy.

1986 join EU and NATO.

2014 - Spain won World Cup.

Current King is Felipe VI.

I have been watching a BBC 4 series on Monday nights called 'Blood and Gold - The Making of Spain', I recommend it.