Spanish History

The history of Spain is characterized by the continues invasions of different people who spread throughout the country. The first ones were the Iberians, a Libyan people from the south. Later the Celts. The mix of these two led to the Celtiberians who divided into several tribes, the Cantabrians, the Lusitanians and the Asturians. Hence the name of the different parts of Spain today.

The Phoenicians were next founding trading posts along the coast including the oldest town in Europe, Cadiz.

The Greek settlers came afterwards and founded many towns. The Phoenicians and the Carthaginians collaborated in the struggle against the Greeks and managed to take control of most of Spain. After this the Romans entered the arena and began the invasion of Spain. The Roman rule lasted for 6 centuries. Spain was totally Romanised and left Spain with the latin language and the Christian religion.

The Arabs came from the south at the beginning of the 8th century and invaded the hole country except for a small part in the north. The Arabs staid for 8 centuries. The Arab occupation of Spain can be divided into 3 periods. The Emirate from 711 – 756, The Caliphate from 756 – 1031 and the Kingdoms of Taifas from 1031 – 1492.

1492 was the year when the King and Queen of the Castill and Aragon part of Spain managed to expel the Arabs after years of Reconquest.

With the discovery of America ( Colombus was founded by the Spanish King and Queen ) the Spanish empire got an injection in the economy that lasted for centuries and made Spain the worlds most powerful country.

1808 was the year when Joseph Bonaparte took over the Spanish throne, after the invasion of Napoleon Bonaparte. After fierce resistance of the Spanish people it all culminated in the restoration of Fernando VII and the continuity of the Bourbons on the Spanish throne.

In 1873 the First Republic was proclaimed but 2 years later the military restored the monarchy with King Alfonso XII. His kingdom lasted until 1886 when he was succeeded by his son Alfonso XIII who´s mother reigned until 1902. During her reign Spain lost the colonies of Cuba, the Philippines and Puerto Rico during a brief war with the United States.

During the elections in 1931 it came clear the support for the Monarchy was loosing. The Republican's were gaining votes in all mayor cities and the king was advised to leave the capital Madrid. The king Alfonso XIII left the country and the Second Republic was proclaimed the 14th of April 1931. This led to 5 turbulent years which again led to the civil war in 1936 which lasted 3 years. When the civil war ended in 1939 a 40 year dictatorship started with the dictator General Franco.

When Franco died in 1975 Spain was again ready to restore the Monarchy with todays king Juan Carlos I. The borbons were again on the Spanish throne.

King Juan Carlos I soon became very popular and still is. The king took a lead in implementing the democracy again and the first democratic leader for 40 years the first Spanish prime minister Adolfo Suarez legalized the until now forbidden political parties including the communist party and the trade unions. This all lead to the Spanish constitution of the 6th of December 1978.