Spanish Empire
Definition
The Spanish Empire was one of the largest empires in history that existed from late 15th century until early 19th century. It included territories in Europe, Americas (North & South), Africa & Asia.
Analogy
Imagine if you were playing a game where you had to claim different rooms in your house - that's what Spain did on a global scale! They claimed rooms (territories) all over their house (the world), including some prime real estate like Mexico and Peru!
Related terms
Conquistadors: These were explorers/soldiers from Spain who conquered large areas of Central America, South America & Caribbean during 16th-17th centuries.
Encomienda System: A labor system in Spanish America and the Philippines where Spanish authorities granted colonial landlords the service of a certain number of indigenous people.
Habsburg Spain: This refers to Spain during the 16th and 17th centuries when it was ruled by kings from the House of Habsburg.
"Spanish Empire" appears in:
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Study guides (2)
Practice Questions (3)
- The Spanish Empire was the 4th Largest Empire ever. And, they were constantly looking for Raw Materials. Which one did they find that led to their financial ruin?
- What were two economic systems used in the Spanish Empire?
- Which distinctive architectural style was shared by both the Spanish Empire in America and the Mughal Empire in India during their respective periods?
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