How The Spanish Empire Became The World's First Superpower

#spanishempire #superpower #history

The territory of Spain today comprises of 195,365 square miles, being principally made up of land on the Iberian Peninsula, sharing borders with Portugal to the West, France to the North, as well as the small principality of Andorra. Spain also controls the Balearic Islands in the Mediterranean and the Canary Islands in the Atlantic, as well as the two small enclaves of Ceuta and Melilla, on the northern shore of Morrocco’s coastline.

However, at the beginning of the 19th century, the total amount of territory to which Spain laid claim to exceeded a staggering 5 million square miles; stretching throughout almost the entirety of the Americas, from California all the way to Argentina and even further afield to the far side of the Pacific Ocean, with the Philippines in Eastern Asia.

Although this marked the peak of Spain’s territorial possessions, many of these lands were brought under Spanish rule in the prior three centuries, in what was one of the most remarkable and rapid rises to power of any nation in history.

This is how Spain became the world’s first superpower.

The Spanish Empire, sometimes referred to as the Hispanic Monarchy or the Catholic Monarchy, was a colonial empire governed by Spain and its predecessor states between 1492 and 1976. In conjunction with the Portuguese Empire, it was the first empire to usher the European Age of Discovery and achieve a global scale, controlling vast portions of the Americas, Africa, various islands in Asia and Oceania, as well as territory in other parts of Europe. It was one of the most powerful empires of the early modern period, becoming known as "the empire on which the sun never sets". At its peak in 1810, the Spanish Empire covered over 13 million square kilometres (5 million square miles), making it one of the largest empires in history.

[IblewuponyourfaceIII]

You’re missing the other European territories Spain had in the Spanish Empire like parts of Italy, Netherlands, France & so on. Also larger portions of North & South America

[felixmartedehircania]

From Netherlands to Napoli
From Alaska to Argentina
From Morocco to Ecuatorial guinea
From Philippines to Papua nueva guinea
....The sun never sets in the spanish empire.

[alvarogonzalezgambini]

Whatever the British achieved later in life, remember that the Spanish did it first.

[everardolozano]

Great summary of the Spanish Empire, I really enjoyed watching it. Three comments: 1) The map of the Aragon Empire missed the area in south Italy. 2) The map of Mexico in 1823 is wrong, the borders back then were very different than today. 3) Spanish Louisiana territory would be worth being mentioned.

[badecnamor]

Currently the european language with the most native speakers is Spanish, that says a lot about how big the empire was.

[mmjj]

What most people don't know is that Spain does not have colonies. All the territories they conquered are Viceroyalties and are considered Kingdoms within the Empire. All the people of the Empire are subjects to the Spanish monarchs just like the Spaniards in the mainland.

[xispaster]

Jerónimo de Ayanz y Beaumont (1553 – 23 March 1613 AD) was a Spanish soldier, painter, astronomer, musician and inventor. He pioneered the use and design of the steam engine, as well as mining ventilation systems, improved scientific instrumentation, developed windmills and new types of furnaces for metallurgical, industrial, military, and even domestic operations. He invented a diving bell, patented an immersion suit tested before the court of Felipe III in Pisuerga, on August 2, 1602, and designed a submarine.[1]

[juliosalazar]

You forgot the European territories of the Spanish Empire: southern Italy, Sicily, Sardinia, the marquisate of Finale in northwestern Italy, Milan, the State of the Presidi in Tuscany, Belgium, Luxembourg, Netherlands, the French regions of Artois and Franch-Comte. And African territories like Oran in Algeria. Or the Marianas and Caroline Islands in Oceania

[sanexpreso]

The Spaniards did not conquer America on their own, they were thanks to the natives, there is a popular belief that the natives were and fought against a common enemy, the truth is that the Aztecs had many enemies just like the Incas, the pre-Columbian legacy did not disappear was mixed, Spain named a single continent called America and this is how the rest of Europe and the world knew it.

[julioprado]

You miss one of the most important economic effects of the Spanish empire, the intercontinental commerce created between Mexico, China and Spain. All financed with the Spanish Real de a Ocho, the first intercontinental currency that was in use for almost 3 centuries. The economic effects of bringing silver into China were enormous. Other aspects, like the direct intervention of the English in the independence process of South America to open their markets to English products are also crucial because they opened the way for the expansion and dominance of the British empire after they lost North America.
On the social and economic side, is relevant to mention that life in these colonies during the Spanish period was far better than in Europe. There were no wars, public health systems, and more land and opportunities, the problem was the scarcity of population. The large population explosion in 19 century Europe is what triggered the enormous expansion of the USA at the expense of the thinly populated post independence Mexico.

[craigmcdonald]

Very well-done and informative. This video forgot to include any mention of Spanish Sahara, Ifni, and Spanish Guinea. The histories of these last remaining colonies were significant in the 20th century.

[Mike-yclu]

Como mestizo estoy orgulloso de la gran herencia que nos dejaron. ¡Viva España!
🇪🇸 ❤🇪🇨
Ante todo somos hispanos y hermanos

[claramente]

The $panish dollar, which gives the simbol $ dollar today, financed the independence of the 13 Colonies until 1857 .... When also the Louisiana was part of the Spanish Empire all along 40 years. Did you forget also?

[RobitGalaxy]

The Spanish Empire owned all the west coast and some parts of Alaska, as well as some parts of the Guinean gulf.

[RomanOf]

Criminally underrated European empire. Viva España!

[abelsonkalu]

Very true talk, my father traded with the Spanish in those old days in the present day country of Equatorial Guinea. And I have also the chance to connect miraculousy and embrace a similar trading connection in Spain. Spanish people truly are very very civilized with good understanding of what life is all about. I enjoy very well every moment with them during our business relationship. They are very loving and kind people, very well civilized.Long life the nation and people of Spain.

[D.y.]

Viva España 🇪🇸 💪 Orgulloso de tener como Lengua Materna el idioma mas hermoso del mundo el Español. Saludos a los Españoles desde Chile 🇨🇱

[enmanuel]

Very nice video!!!! Just a quick observation: Santo Domingo was not the first city founded by the Spaniards, it was actually La Isabela on 1493, on the Northern Coast of Dominican Republic. After that, they founded Concepción de La Vega in 1494, Santiago De los Caballeros in 1495 and finally Santo Domingo 1496, that is how they managed to take control of the Caribbean and start the colonization of Central America and Mexico.

Also, at the end of the video you showed Cuba, Dominican Republic and Puerto Rico still under colonial rule, but Dominican Republic declared its independence from Spain in 1821, then from Haiti in 1844 and then Spain again on 1865, which was 30 years before the Cuban Independence movement and longer than the Spanish-American War.

Looking forward to see more content from you!!

[MaxMax-megv]

Spain also saved Europe from Islamization

[santiagourena]

I have Spanish blood and I am so proud. That my ancestors came a America, and founded the New Spain, what is México today. 🇲🇽❤️🇪🇦