Changes

==Roman Empire==

==Roman Empire==

Beginning in the ninth century BC, Phoenicians, [[Greeks]], Carthaginians, and Celts entered the Iberian Peninsula. The [[Roman]]s followed in the second century BC and laid the groundwork for Spain's present language, religion, and laws. Although the Visigoths arrived in the fifth century AD, the last Roman strongholds along the southern coast did not fall until the seventh century AD.  

Beginning in the ninth century BC, Phoenicians, [[Greeks]], Carthaginians, and Celts entered the Iberian Peninsula. The [[Roman]]s followed in the second century BC and laid the groundwork for Spain's present language, religion, and laws. Although the Visigoths arrived in the fifth century AD, the last Roman strongholds along the southern coast did not fall until the seventh century AD.  

===Muslims and Crusaders: 711-1492===

 

====Muslims and Crusaders: 711-1492====

In 711, North African Moors sailed across the straits, swept into Andalusia, and within a few years, pushed the Visigoths up the peninsula to the Cantabrian Mountains. The ''Reconquista'' (wars to drive out the Moors) lasted until complete success was achieved in 1492. By 1512, the unification of present-day Spain was complete.  

In 711, North African Moors sailed across the straits, swept into Andalusia, and within a few years, pushed the Visigoths up the peninsula to the Cantabrian Mountains. The ''Reconquista'' (wars to drive out the Moors) lasted until complete success was achieved in 1492. By 1512, the unification of present-day Spain was complete.  

By the middle of the 15th century, the last bastion of Moorish power on the peninsula was the kingdom of Granada in southwestern Spain. When the marriage of Isabella, Queen of Castile, to Ferdinand, Prince of Aragon, in 1469 united Spain, they vigorously began their last campaign against the Moors.  In January 1492 the Spanish entered the city of Granada and Moorish power ended in Europe. The expulsion of the Moors from Spain may be considered the last of the many medieval crusades.<ref> Charles Julian Bishko, "The Spanish and Portuguese Reconquest, 1095-1492" in [http://digicoll.library.wisc.edu/cgi-bin/History/History-idx?type=goto&id=History.CrusThree&isize=M&page=396 H. W. Hazard, ed. ''The fourteenth and fifteenth centuries''] (1975) pp 396-456</ref>

By the middle of the 15th century, the last bastion of Moorish power on the peninsula was the kingdom of Granada in southwestern Spain. When the marriage of Isabella, Queen of Castile, to Ferdinand, Prince of Aragon, in 1469 united Spain, they vigorously began their last campaign against the Moors.  In January 1492 the Spanish entered the city of Granada and Moorish power ended in Europe. The expulsion of the Moors from Spain may be considered the last of the many medieval crusades.<ref> Charles Julian Bishko, "The Spanish and Portuguese Reconquest, 1095-1492" in [http://digicoll.library.wisc.edu/cgi-bin/History/History-idx?type=goto&id=History.CrusThree&isize=M&page=396 H. W. Hazard, ed. ''The fourteenth and fifteenth centuries''] (1975) pp 396-456</ref>

 

==European power==

==European power==

* See also [[Charles V of Spain]] king (1500-1558)  

* See also [[Charles V of Spain]] king (1500-1558)  

In the late 18th century Spain at last attempted to reform the administration of its colonies. Some progress was made, but the improvements also stimulated a demand for more autonomy and even independence on the part of the creoles (people of Spanish descent born in the colonies).

In the late 18th century Spain at last attempted to reform the administration of its colonies. Some progress was made, but the improvements also stimulated a demand for more autonomy and even independence on the part of the creoles (people of Spanish descent born in the colonies).

==19th century==

==19th century==

Spain had built a large empire, primarily in South America and Central America; most of the colonies revolted about 1820, and the remainder were lost in 1898.

Spain had built a large empire, primarily in South America and Central America; most of the colonies revolted about 1820, and the remainder were lost in 1898. Historians explain the collapse on an anticolonial, national consciousness among Creoles; peninsular misrule and economic mismanagement; and the seismic effects of geopolitical upheaval, particularly the Napoleonic occupation of Spain.<ref> Gabriel Paquette, "The Dissolution of the Spanish Atlantic Monarchy". ''Historical Journal'' 2009 52(1): 175-212 </ref>

The 19th century saw the revolt and independence of most of Spain's colonies in the Western Hemisphere; three wars over the succession issue; the brief ousting of the monarchy and establishment of the First Republic (1873-74); and, finally, the [[Spanish-American War]] (1898), in which Spain lost [[Cuba]], [[Puerto Rico]], and the [[Philippines]] to the United States.  

Internally, Spain was in turmoil, with three wars over the succession issue; the brief ousting of the monarchy and establishment of the First Republic (1873-74); and, finally, the [[Spanish-American War]] of 1898, in which Spain lost [[Cuba]], [[Puerto Rico]], and the [[Philippines]] to the United States.  

==20th century==

==20th century==