Spanish Empire

C

Gibraltar

A narrow, sandy isthmus separates Gibraltar, a rocky promontory on Spain's southern coast, from the Spanish mainland. It has always been strategically important because of its location as the western entrance to the Mediterranean Sea. It serves as a point from which to monitor traffic passing between the Mediterranean Sea and the Atlantic Ocean and between North Africa and the Iberian Peninsula.

The Moors held Gibraltar from 1333 to 1462, the year that a private Spanish expedition took it over. In 1502 Gibraltar came under the authority of the Spanish government. In 1713 Spain ceded it to Britain as part of the Peace of Utrecht, the treaty that ended the War of the Spanish Succession. In 1964, when the United Kingdom gave Gibraltar almost complete control over its internal affairs, Spain contended that it should acquire sovereignty over Gibraltar under terms of the Peace of Utrecht. However, in a 1967 referendum, the people of Gibraltar voted overwhelmingly to remain under Britain and to reject ties to Spain. Despite this, Spain pursued its claim and in 1969 closed its border to the 5000 Spanish workers who worked in Gibraltar. After negotiations, Spain reopened the border in 1985, although the issue of Gibraltar’s sovereignty remains controversial.

VI

Effects and Legacies of the Empire

Spain had common goals in its many colonial areas, and as a result its colonies share many similar characteristics. In Spanish America and Spanish Asia, Roman Catholicism and Spanish culture merged with the indigenous languages and religions. In Spanish Africa, the cultural legacies are much less noticeable, although Spanish is spoken in Ceuta and Melilla, as well as much of Morocco. Catholic populations remain throughout Latin America and in the Philippines, and Spanish-speakers are now the third largest language group in the world. Other legacies remain as well—for example people in Guam celebrate Magellan's Day every March 6. However, the area most deeply influenced by Spain’s legacy is Latin America.

A

Legacy in Latin America

After Latin American independence, the boundaries of the new nations were based largely on the old Spanish imperial jurisdictional divisions, but with central Spanish authority gone, localism surged and strained national governments. National economies continued to be based on the export of raw materials. Societies remained stratified, although mestizos did gain some political and economic standing.

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In Latin American society, much of the Spanish heritage remained, and it continues today. In areas that historically contained dense Native American populations, European customs have long since fused with indigenous practices, forming a mixture of cultures. Throughout much of Latin America, Spanish has remained the predominant language, and Roman Catholicism has remained the dominant faith. Many towns retain forms of Spanish city planning, with a central square anchored by a church and a city hall and streets radiating out from it. In some places Spanish customs, such as bullfighting and the afternoon siesta, remain.

During the late 1800s, expressions of hispanidad (Spanish cultural identity) became important, especially to writers and intellectuals who condemned the spread of materialism and the influence of the United States. As resentment of the United States grew, it replaced old resentments of Spanish domination. In the 20th century, a strong sense of Hispanic identity endures among Latin Americans, giving a sense of shared history, culture, and language.

B

Effects on Spain

Expansion throughout the world made Spain the most powerful European nation from the early 16th century until the mid-17th century. Then it began a long decline. Spain lost most of its American colonies during the Napoleonic wars and their unsettled aftermath, but it retained Cuba, its wealthiest colony, and a firm belief in its imperial destiny. The Spanish people reacted strongly to their country’s decline only after Spain lost Cuba and the Philippines at the end of the 19th century, a time when standing in the international community depended on success in the race for colonies.

The loss of the empire exposed government inadequacies and led many Spaniards to criticize the government. But Spain was divided on how to proceed, and Spanish society eventually became polarized. One result was the rise of new political parties based on personalities and regions within Spain that challenged the old parliamentary system. These parties brought to power a succession of coalition governments and strongmen, culminating in the Spanish Civil War.

C

Spanish-Speaking World Today

Since World War II, advances in communications and transportation have increased contact between Spain and Latin America. Spain's economy flourished, and its trade increased, particularly with the former Spanish colonies. When Spain returned to democracy in the mid-1970s following Franco’s nearly 40-year regime, its relations with Latin America grew. King Juan Carlos made official visits, and Spanish investment there increased. In 1982, when the United Kingdom and Argentina fought over the sovereignty of the Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas), Spain supported Argentina's claim.

In 1985 Spain instituted a special assistance program for Latin America. Since then Spanish companies have invested billions of dollars in the area. Spain also began collaborating with Latin American republics to bring peace during wars in Central America. Today, the Spanish king joins Latin American heads of state in annual summit meetings. Spain continues to pursue a policy of increasing its influence in and cooperation with Latin America, emphasizing common ties based on shared history, language, culture, and religion.

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