Spanish History: Colonization to Centralization
Roman Colonization of the Iberian Peninsula (800 BC – 218 BC)
This period saw Mediterranean peoples vying for control of trade and mineral wealth. The main colonizers were:
- Phoenicians: Established settlements along the Andalusian coast, including Almuñécar and Cadiz.
- Greeks: Primarily focused on the Alicante coast, with notable settlements like Emporion (Ampurias) and Roses.
- Carthaginians: Succeeded the Phoenicians in trade, establishing settlements in Ibiza, Almeria, and Cartagena.
During this time, indigenous cultures interacted with these external influences, resulting in the development of distinct Iberian cultures:
- Tarshish: The oldest culture of the first millennium BC, based in western Andalusia.
- Iberians: Located in the Levant area, the Guadalquivir valley, and the Balearic Islands, they were significantly influenced by the colonizers.
- Celtiberians: Diverse groups inhabiting the plateaus, including the Arevaci and Pelendones.
- Peoples of the North: With Celtic and pre-Celtic cultures, they settled in the Northwest, including the Vaccaei, Asturias, and Cantabria.
The Reconquista and the Early Christian Kingdoms (722-1492)
The Reconquista marks the period when the northern Christian kingdoms gradually reclaimed Muslim-held territory in the Iberian Peninsula. This process began with the Battle of Covadonga in 722 and culminated with the fall of Granada in 1492. The first kingdoms to emerge were Asturias, León, Navarra, and the Hispanic Marches. The struggle between Navarre and Castile and León eventually led to the formation of Aragon and Portugal.
The Reign of Ferdinand and Isabella: Territorial Expansion and a Modern Monarchy
The reign of Ferdinand and Isabella marked a shift from an authoritarian feudal monarchy to a more modern, centralized state. Despite the dynastic union, Aragon retained its distinct laws and institutions. Castile, however, played a dominant role due to its larger size, population, and wealth.
The Catholic Monarchs focused on strengthening royal authority and creating a modern authoritarian state. They achieved this by:
- Subduing the nobility and clergy.
- Establishing a standing army.
- Implementing stricter control over the territory through magistrates and the Holy Brotherhood.
- Increasing tax revenues in Castile.
- Reducing the power of the Cortes (parliament).
The territorial expansion under Ferdinand and Isabella was driven by three main goals:
- Unification of the Iberian Peninsula: This involved the conquest of Granada, Roussillon, Sardinia, and Navarra, as well as strategic marriages with Portugal.
- Anti-French Policy in Italy: This led to alliances with the House of Burgundy and England to counter French influence.
- Conquest of North Africa: This aimed to continue the Reconquista and establish a buffer zone, resulting in the conquest of Melilla, Oran, Bougie, and the Canary Islands. This expansion eventually led to the exploration of America in search of a route to India.
Decrees of New Planta: Centralization and the Bourbon Reforms
The Decrees of New Planta established a centralized state in Spain under the Bourbon dynasty. This policy, inspired by French absolutism and Enlightenment principles, aimed to strengthen the monarchy and modernize the economy.
Following the War of the Spanish Succession (1700-1714), the Bourbons implemented a series of reforms to centralize power and promote absolutism. The Decrees of New Planta aimed to dismantle the legal and institutional autonomy of the Crown of Aragon. This involved abolishing privileges, municipal autonomy, and the Aragonese Cortes, replacing viceroyalties with provinces, introducing a unified tax system, and imposing Castilian officials throughout the administration.
While the Basque Country and Navarre retained some privileges, the reforms led to significant institutional homogenization and the creation of a more unitary state. The territorial administration was also centralized through the establishment of intendencias, which acted as intermediaries between the central government and the provinces. These changes marked a shift towards a centralized monarchy and a decline in the autonomy of municipalities.