The Union of Spain and the Discovery of America

Posted on Feb 11, 2025 in Geography

The Union of Spain: Aragon and Castile

In 1469, the marriage of Prince Ferdinand, son of John II of Aragon, and Princess Isabella, sister of Henry IV, King of Castile, marked a pivotal moment. Although it did not immediately create a unified kingdom, as each retained its borders, currencies, laws, tax systems, and institutions, the Catholic Monarchs acted jointly on behalf of both kingdoms.

Territorial Expansion of the Kingdoms

  • 1492: The conquest of the Muslim kingdom of Granada, after a 10-year campaign.
  • 1515: Ferdinand annexed the Kingdom of Navarre to the Crown of Castile, further consolidating the territories that would become Spain.

The Consolidation of Royal Power (1479-1516)

This period saw the imposition of the new model of authoritarian monarchy, especially in Castile. Ferdinand and Isabella sought to assert royal authority above any other power. In the Crown of Aragon, medieval institutions continued, but the figure of the viceroy was instituted.

Instruments of the Spanish Authoritarian Monarchy

  • Holy Brotherhood: A peacekeeping force.
  • Councils: Advisory bodies.
  • Professional Army: A standing army loyal to the crown.
  • Royal Treasury: To manage finances.
  • Magistrates: To administer justice.
  • Viceroys: Royal representatives in various territories.

Religious Uniformity

  • 1492: Expulsion of the Jews from Spain.
  • 1478: Establishment of the Spanish Inquisition by the Catholic Monarchs.

Torquemada

Torquemada is a municipality in the Cerrato region, in the southeastern part of the province of Palencia, Castile and León, Spain. It is situated at an altitude of 730m and lies on the Portuguese Way.

Columbus and the Discovery of America

Columbus presented his project to the Catholic Monarchs, and Isabella agreed to fund the expedition through the Capitulations of Santa Fe. He made four voyages:

  1. First Voyage (1492): Departing from Palos on August 3, 1492, with the ships Santa Maria, Pinta, and Niña. Arrival at Guanahani Island (San Salvador) on October 12, followed by exploration of Cuba and Hispaniola.
  2. Second Voyage (1493): Establishment of a settlement on Hispaniola.
  3. Third Voyage (1498): Arrival at the island of Trinidad.
  4. Fourth Voyage (1502): Exploration of the Central American coast.

Treaty of Tordesillas (1494)

An agreement between the Catholic Monarchs and the King of Portugal to divide the newly discovered and colonized lands.

The ‘Unknown Continent’: Pre-Columbian Civilizations

America had been populated for approximately 20,000 years. Prosperous civilizations had created great empires (Aztec, Maya, Inca). They used stone tools, practiced agriculture, but did not have the wheel or draft animals. These territories and their native inhabitants were called ‘Indians’ and are also known as pre-Columbian civilizations.

Pre-Columbian Civilizations

  • Maya: Flourished in the south of the Yucatan Peninsula (Central America) from the 6th to the 15th centuries. Primarily lived from maize cultivation. Organized in independent city-states. Possessed great knowledge of astronomy and mathematics. Had a hieroglyphic writing system. Built palaces and temples.
  • Aztec: Settled in the fertile valley of Mexico between 1200 and the Spanish arrival in 1519. A warrior people who conquered a great empire, with its capital at Tenochtitlan. Political and religious power was concentrated in the hands of the emperor. Agriculture and trade were their main activities.
  • Inca: In South America, between 1100 and 1532, the Spanish conquest created an empire centered in Cuzco. Ruled by emperors considered divine, the Inca. Built impressive stone fortresses like Machu Picchu.

The Conquest of Mexico

In 1518, an expedition left Cuba. The Aztec territory was inhabited by Emperor Moctezuma. The Aztec court rebelled, but Hernán Cortés achieved a definitive victory at the Battle of Otumba. New expeditions followed (Guatemala in 1523, Honduras in 1524).

The Conquest of Peru

In 1531, Francisco Pizarro led the conquest of the Inca Empire (Peru, Ecuador, Bolivia). The Inca Emperor Atahualpa was executed, and the Spanish captured the capital, Cuzco.

The Habsburg Legacy

  • Maternal side: Kingdom of Castile, Navarre, Italian territories, American territories.
  • Paternal side: The Netherlands, Luxembourg, Franche-Comté, territories in Germany, title of Holy Roman Emperor.