Post by Miles on Oct 10, 2014 5:02:39 GMT -5
Oh, Spain. That country that is a mix of so many things it is hard to keep track. *sigh* Let's start with Rome. Spain was the first territory that Rome invaded out of Italy, initially to repel Carthage. Upon learning of the natural resources, especially the Spanish mines, they began their long stay. The first territory conquered, Catalonia, has a really distinct culture from the rest of the Main Land due to their long stay, as the rest of Iberia (including Portugal) wasn't conquered until much later: this was due to resistance of the local Celt and Iberian people. Their Latin kept true in Catalonia, but the language changed as they went into the country. Only one local language survives: Basque, but that is because they were never truly conquered. After the fall of Rome, the Germanic peoples settled, but it was the Visigoths that took the rule. That was, until the Moor Invasion happened: the last Visigoth king was killed and most of the land was conquered. Then, a few kingdoms emerged: by the one hand we had Catalonia's kingdoms that eventually merged, with the help of Charlemagne. Then we had Asturias (which changed its name to 'Castilla' because of the many castles) and León. The Catalan-Aragonese kingdom expanded into Valencia and the Balearic Islands while Castilla united with Leon and conquered the middle and South. Only Granada remained: and that was due to them paying tribute and the mountains. In 1492, the Catalan-Aragonese Kingdom had expanded to Naples, Athenas Neo-Patria and other. Both the Catalan and Castillian kingdoms united into a single monarchy (though different kingdoms with different laws). Granada was finally reconquered, and America was discovered. This is when Spain began to really grow. The Americas provided with much silver and gold, making Spain richer in the next few centuries, however, they did go bankrupt several times due to paying soldiers. This was also monarchy people called the 'Catholics', since they had alliances with the Papal States, and exiled the Jews and Muslims. Hence, they lost cheap-working hands, and a Judeo-Sefardí community was formed (they speak Spanish in Israel, but a 15th century kind). The daughter of the Catholics married into the Holy Roman Empire's next successor: Felipe 'The Fair'. Their son, Charles I of Spain, AKA Charles the Fifth, would inherit the German territories and the Spanish throne. At this moment, the Crown had the most control over Europe. However, Charles had several problems: in Spain he had to face revolts he won, winning the people's trust, but the Protestants were growing in power, and he had to face the Muslims in the East. Eventually he abdicated in favour of his son Philip II, to whom he gave Spain, the American territories, the Mediterranean territories and Flanders, the rest went to the other son. Philip II eventually united with the Portuguese crown, and this brought the best moment of Spanish History. While the Spanish Golden age was two centuries, the 16th and 17th, it was then when they had the most power: a lot of American possessions, trading... However, it would not last long. His aid to his brother with the Muslim wars was futile, Portugal became independent again, and he lost 'La Armada Invencible' when facing England. Some generations after, we get to Philip V, who inherited the crown of Spain from Charles II, and was supposed to also get France. However, England and the Holy Roman Empire, as well as the Netherlands and other countries, saw this as a terrible idea: a war began, and Philip had to refuse getting the French Kingdom. He also lost Gibraltar (now you know why it's British 
), and other territories. Philip centralised the government and tried to unify the country in every aspect. Several of his children died. He could not reign much longer, however, and the crown went to his son Charles III, who tried to mix the Enlightenment with Absolute Monarchy with some success. The true problems, began, however, in the 19th Century.
Napoleon was expanding throughout Europe, and the successor, Fernando VII, was against his father. Both tried to outwit the other, but both were captured and forced to write a document giving the throne to José, Napoleon's cousin. The people rose, and Napoleon lost Spain. Fernando VII got to the throne, admired, but his government shifted between constitutional and absolute power. This brought several problems, since people wanted Freedom while having a king. The last decade of his reign was a dark time for Spain. Two successors were available, but only Isabel was his offspring. It was then when the Carlist wars happened, since we had the confrontation for the throne. However, the Isabelians won in every instance. Isabel, however, was really harsh with the people, and after having had her mother and a military extremist as the regents before she reigned, the people were tired. In 1868, they overthrew the crown in 'La Gloriosa', and a temporal king was chosen, however, he abdicated thinking the Spanish were crazy. First Republic was born: and died quickly as well. In the early 20th century, the monarchy bore little power, as the Americas had been completely lost in 1898, to USA. The first dictatorship of Primo de Rivera arose, getting power for Spain both industrially and territory (Morocco), but it fell, showing he'd been lucky. The Second Republic arose, and was really succesful: it had a constitution really modern for its time, and similar to the current one. However, the shift to right-wing brought the loss of the intentions the left-wing had brought, making Spain lose the speed into modern times. Miner conflicts predicted the Civil War. In 1936, it began.
The majority of the revolutionary forces were in Africa: but Portugal helped them through, and fascist Italy and Germany aided with numbers: and weapons. after many hardships, Franco was finally declared dictator. It would last until 1975: with an initial economic exile, however, the opposition to the URSS meant the capitalist countries changed their mind, and gave Spain commerce (despite having helped, though in a small way, to Hitler: sending the 'Blue troops', which by the way, also fought the URSS). This brought a moment of Resurrection, Spain was powerful though oppressed. However, the African territories were lost due to their independence, since Spain could not confront them even if they wanted. In 1975, Franco finally died. Democracy would soon arrive, though major revolts happened, and the terrorist force ETA, which still haunted the country in the 2000s (even today it is said they still are there) rose. Nowadays, Spain is in an economic Crisis, the people are tired of the Government, and there are independence tries by Catalan and Basque political parties.
However, even though Spain has faced many hardships, the people have been (and still are partially) ignorant, the culture is great. Every community has their own identity to some extent. Galicia, Basque Country and Catalonia all have their own languages. Funny enough, Catalan is older than Spanish, but Spanish became standardized while Catalan would have to wait until the 19th century with Romanticism and the Reinaxença to get a standard version. This was due to the major oppression of the territory: Spanish History never favoured them. They were pounded several times, their money taken, forced to feed soldiers, leave their language and culture, became under France for a while only to be even more oppressed, and punished when it was Spanish territory again... Despite that, ironically, it is one of the best set-off regions, with a high education rate, good industry, more employment, tourism and natural resources (mines, fertile land, rivers and sea).
So yeah, Spain is a mash-up of many concepts, and there's always someone that's not happy. lol
), and other territories. Philip centralised the government and tried to unify the country in every aspect. Several of his children died. He could not reign much longer, however, and the crown went to his son Charles III, who tried to mix the Enlightenment with Absolute Monarchy with some success. The true problems, began, however, in the 19th Century.Napoleon was expanding throughout Europe, and the successor, Fernando VII, was against his father. Both tried to outwit the other, but both were captured and forced to write a document giving the throne to José, Napoleon's cousin. The people rose, and Napoleon lost Spain. Fernando VII got to the throne, admired, but his government shifted between constitutional and absolute power. This brought several problems, since people wanted Freedom while having a king. The last decade of his reign was a dark time for Spain. Two successors were available, but only Isabel was his offspring. It was then when the Carlist wars happened, since we had the confrontation for the throne. However, the Isabelians won in every instance. Isabel, however, was really harsh with the people, and after having had her mother and a military extremist as the regents before she reigned, the people were tired. In 1868, they overthrew the crown in 'La Gloriosa', and a temporal king was chosen, however, he abdicated thinking the Spanish were crazy. First Republic was born: and died quickly as well. In the early 20th century, the monarchy bore little power, as the Americas had been completely lost in 1898, to USA. The first dictatorship of Primo de Rivera arose, getting power for Spain both industrially and territory (Morocco), but it fell, showing he'd been lucky. The Second Republic arose, and was really succesful: it had a constitution really modern for its time, and similar to the current one. However, the shift to right-wing brought the loss of the intentions the left-wing had brought, making Spain lose the speed into modern times. Miner conflicts predicted the Civil War. In 1936, it began.
The majority of the revolutionary forces were in Africa: but Portugal helped them through, and fascist Italy and Germany aided with numbers: and weapons. after many hardships, Franco was finally declared dictator. It would last until 1975: with an initial economic exile, however, the opposition to the URSS meant the capitalist countries changed their mind, and gave Spain commerce (despite having helped, though in a small way, to Hitler: sending the 'Blue troops', which by the way, also fought the URSS). This brought a moment of Resurrection, Spain was powerful though oppressed. However, the African territories were lost due to their independence, since Spain could not confront them even if they wanted. In 1975, Franco finally died. Democracy would soon arrive, though major revolts happened, and the terrorist force ETA, which still haunted the country in the 2000s (even today it is said they still are there) rose. Nowadays, Spain is in an economic Crisis, the people are tired of the Government, and there are independence tries by Catalan and Basque political parties.
However, even though Spain has faced many hardships, the people have been (and still are partially) ignorant, the culture is great. Every community has their own identity to some extent. Galicia, Basque Country and Catalonia all have their own languages. Funny enough, Catalan is older than Spanish, but Spanish became standardized while Catalan would have to wait until the 19th century with Romanticism and the Reinaxença to get a standard version. This was due to the major oppression of the territory: Spanish History never favoured them. They were pounded several times, their money taken, forced to feed soldiers, leave their language and culture, became under France for a while only to be even more oppressed, and punished when it was Spanish territory again... Despite that, ironically, it is one of the best set-off regions, with a high education rate, good industry, more employment, tourism and natural resources (mines, fertile land, rivers and sea).
So yeah, Spain is a mash-up of many concepts, and there's always someone that's not happy. lol
