The Spanish Empire

The Spanish Empire was one of the largest and most powerful empires in history. It was established in the late 15th century by the Catholic Monarchs, King Ferdinand of Aragon and Queen Isabella of Castile, and it reached its height of power during the 16th and 17th centuries. The empire included territories in Europe, the Americas, Africa and Asia, and it was one of the first global empires in history. The Spanish Empire was primarily an empire of conquest, it was built on the back of military campaigns, colonization, and the forced conversion of indigenous peoples to Christianity. The empire controlled territories and trade in the Americas, including present-day Mexico, Central America, South America, and parts of the southern United States. It also controlled the Philippines and Guam in Asia, as well as parts of Italy, Portugal, and present-day Belgium. The Spanish Empire played a major role in shaping the world as it is today, and it had a profound impact on the cultures, languages, and economies of the territories it controlled.