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VIDEO SCRIPT The History of the Spanish Empire Discovering the Americas After the union of Castile and

Aragon effectively created Spain, the resulting new kingdom quickly began to commission overseas explorations. Under the Spanish flag, it was Christopher Columbus who accidentally discovered the Americas, while attempting to reach Asia via the Atlantic. Colonization of the Americas This began Spains colonization of the Americas with countries like Portugal, England, France, and others not far behind. In 1510 Spain was finally successful in creating the first permanent European settlement, in what is now Columbia. To the Pacific The year 1513 saw Spains Vasco Nez de Balboa become the first European to lead an expedition to the Pacific Ocean, when he crossed present-day Panama. Conquistadors Groups of warrior-explorers called Conquistadors began colonizing the Caribbean Islands and areas of South America. Despite resistance by the indigenous population, the Conquistadors used rival native tribes against each other in order to gain an advantage. Beyond the Americas Spains expansion did not stop at the Americas. After finding the westward route to the Far East that Columbus had been searching for years earlier, Spain established colonies in Guam, the Philippines, and other nearby islands.

Height of Power At the height of the Spanish Empire in the seventeenth century, the Kingdom controlled much of the Americas, territories in Africa, Asia and Oceania, and large portions of Europe. In total, they controlled approximately 13 per cent of the worlds total land area. The End of an Empire Continuing war with various countries throughout Europe meant trouble for Spains economy. By the end of the seventeenth century France had emerged as Europes superpower, marking the beginning of the end for Spains empire. In the nineteenth century, the Spanish American Wars of Independence and the Spanish-American War saw Spain lose all of its territories throughout the Americas and Asia. Lasting Impact Even after its fall as a dominant world power, Spains legacy remains evident. The Spanish dollar was the worlds first global currency because of the countrys role in the foundations of global trade. This trade would see the introduction of things like horses, apples, and even wheat to the New World from Europe. The Spanish language and Roman Catholic faith were also spread throughout the world, both still dominant in most of its former colonies, even centuries later.

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