A Concise History of Spain

Description

The rich cultural and political life of Spain has emerged from its complex history, from the diversity of its peoples, and from continual contact with outside influences. This book traces that history from prehistoric times to the present, focusing particularly on culture, society, politics, and personalities. Written in an engaging style, it introduces readers to the key themes that have shaped Spain's history and culture. These include its varied landscapes and climates; the impact of waves of diverse human migrations; the importance of its location as a bridge between the Atlantic and the Mediterranean and Europe and Africa; and religion, particularly militant Catholic Christianity and its centuries of conflict with Islam and Protestantism, as well as debates over the place of the Church in modern Spain. Illustrations, maps, and a guide to further reading, major cultural figures, and places to see, make the history of this fascinating country come alive. Cover A CONCISE HISTORY OF SPAIN Series Editor Title Copyright CONTENTS ILLUSTRATIONS MAPS PREFACE 1 The land and its early inhabitants 2 Ancient legacies 3 Diversity in medieval Spain CONQUEST, CONVERSION, AND ASSIMILATION FROM EMIRATE TO CALIPHATE IN MUSLIM SPAIN ORIGINS OF CHRISTIAN STATES IN THE NORTH THE APOGEE OF MUSLIM SPAIN 4 The rise of Spain to international prominence RECONQUEST AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENTS THE WOOL INDUSTRY OF CASTILE THE TRADE OF THE CROWN OF ARAGON ECONOMIC CRISIS AND RECOVERY IN LATE MEDIEVAL SPAIN CRISIS AND DECLINE OF SPAIN’S JEWISH COMMUNITIES POLITICAL PATTERNS IN LATE MEDIEVAL SPAIN POLITICS AND PERSONALITIES IN LATE MEDIEVAL SPAIN THE SPANISH INQUISITION AND THE EXPULSION OF THE JEWS CONSOLIDATION OF ROYAL AUTHORITY UNDER ISABEL AND FERNANDO 5 Spain as the first global empire 6 Toward modernity: from the Napoleonic invasion to Alfonso XIII 7 The struggle for the spanish soul: Republic, civil war, and dictatorship 8 New Spain, new Spaniards: European, democratic, and multi-cultural CHRONOLOGY AND RULERS THE LAND AND ITS EARLY INHABITANTS ANCIENT LEGACIES DIVERSITY IN MEDIEVAL SPAIN THE RISE OF SPAIN TO INTERNATIONAL PROMINENCE Castile Aragon SPAIN AS THE FIRST GLOBAL EMPIRE The Habsburg dynasty – 1516–1700 The Bourbon dynasty – 1700 to present, with several interruptions TOWARD MODERNITY: FROM THE NAPOLEONIC INVASION TO ALFONSO XIII French occupation and War of Independence Bourbon dynasty restored Provisional government, after forcing Isabel II into exile First Republic THE STRUGGLE FOR THE SPANISH SOUL: REPUBLIC, CIVIL WAR, AND DICTATORSHIP NEW SPAIN, NEW SPANIARDS: EUROPEAN, DEMOCRATIC, AND MULTI-CULTURAL Bourbon dynasty restored GUIDE TO FURTHER INFORMATION THE LAND AND ITS EARLY INHABITANTS ANCIENT LEGACIES DIVERSITY IN MEDIEVAL SPAIN THE RISE OF SPAIN TO INTERNATIONAL PROMINENCE SPAIN AS THE FIRST GLOBAL EMPIRE TOWARD MODERNITY: FROM THE NAPOLEONIC INVASION TO ALFONSO XIII THE STRUGGLE FOR THE SPANISH SOUL: REPUBLIC, CIVIL WAR, AND DICTATORSHIP AND NEW SPAIN, NEW SPANIARDS: EUROPEAN, DEMOCRATIC, AND MULTI-CULTURAL INDEX