The Spanish history began in the early middle age when Habsburg brought about unification in previous kingdoms. This was after the Reconquista which had come to a completion in the year 1516. By the year 1813, Spain adopted the constitutional monarch. The democratic constitution in Spain was introduced in 1978.
The Habsburg rule united the crown of Aragon and the crown of Castile as well as various other kingdoms into one rule. The Spanish empire had existed since 1492 when America was discovered. This also signified the start of the Spanish Golden Age when Habsburg Spain was the pride of the world. It was dynamic and since it owned property in five continents, it was recognized world over.
The Europe Wars
It was during that period that various wars broke out in Europe. These wars were: The Thirty Years’ War, the Eighty Years’ War, the Franco-Spanish War, and the Italian Wars. Spain’s involvement in the wars saw a deterioration of its glory. When the final Habsburg ruler died, the Spanish succession war saw a downfall of Spain and a decline of its influence within the region.
While Bourbon reforms sought to rejuvenate state organizations, there was little success and the instability continued after the completion of the century, the beginning of the peninsular war, and the French revolution. With all those challenges, Spain was not able to achieve its former glory.
Apart from the war, the 19th century saw divergent political parties fight over power. As a result of these power wrangles, Spain was never able to regain stability. The founding of the constitutional monarch brought with it a balance between conservative and liberal forces between 1874 and 1931. However, this was not enough to institute a resolution and this saw Spain plunge in a civil war between the Nationalist and Republican groups.
End Of The War
By the time the war came to an end, Francisco Franco has established a nationalistic dictatorship which managed the government up until the year 1975. During the 1960s and 1970s after the war, Spain showed economic improvement and stability. The death of Franco in 1975 saw Spain go back to the constitutional monarchy which Prince Juan Carlos headed. See the interesting works of Alexandre Dumas.
Spain would later in 1986 join the European Economic Community which has since been changed into European Union, and the Euro zone. Spain’s economic thrive came to a halt between 2007 and 2008 with the onset of the financial crisis which again plunged the country in a debt crisis, recession, poor economic growth, and unemployment.
Today, Spain is perceived to be an influential middle power. It however, is not a member of the G8 countries which are of comparable status. While it takes part in the G20, it is still not a member. It participates in the European Union G6 as a member though.
Still, many people may not know that Spain has been inhabited by various groups of people during its historical times. They include: the Romans, Moors, Celts, Iberians, Basques, and Phoenicians. The kingdom of Spain is the country’s official name and it is one f the biggest and most mountainous countries in the region.