CIRCA 1492 — 1821

# At one point in history…

## one empire connected almost the entire world.

1492
ATLANTIC CROSSING

CRUZ DE BORGOÑA

SPAIN
CARIBBEAN
AMERICAS

THE DISCOVERY ERA

## It began in the late 15th century,

when Spain funded voyages across unknown oceans.

EXPANSIÓN
South America
Central America
Philippines
Parts of Europe
& Beyond

RAPID EXPANSION

## Within decades, Spain controlled

vast lands across the Americas, Europe, Asia, and beyond.

ORO
₱
✦
₱
✦
₱
✦
₱
✦
GOLD RESERVES
91%
SILVER OUTPUT
84%
GLOBAL TRADE
76%

POWER & WEALTH

## Gold and silver flowed into Spain,

making it one of the richest and most powerful empires in history.

CULTURA

### Architecture

Baroque cathedrals and colonial cities rose across two continents

### Language

Spanish became one of Earth's most spoken languages — 500M+ today

### Religion

Catholic faith spread through missions across the Americas and Asia

CULTURAL LEGACY

## Its influence shaped languages,

cultures, and religions across continents.

CRISIS
⚔
Armed Conflicts
✊
Colonial Resistance
⚖
Economic Strain

THE CHALLENGES

## But power came at a cost—

conflicts, resistance, and economic strain began to weaken its dominance.

DECLIVE
1810Mexico rises
1816Argentina free
1821Peru & Central America
1898Cuba, Philippines lost

THE LONG DECLINE

## Over time, colonies gained independence,

and the empire slowly dissolved.

LASTING LEGACY

## But its legacy…

still shapes the world today.

THE STORY OF

# THE SPANISH
EMPIRE

1492 – 1898