Part 83

Discover the history of Spain in Civilization V, from its unification under Isabella and Ferdinand to its global empire and eventual decline and resurgence.

This section details the history of Spain, focusing on its unification, its rise as a global power, and its subsequent decline and modern resurgence. It also touches on unique units and bonuses relevant to the game.

Key Historical Points:

1. The union of Castile and Aragon through the marriage of Isabella I and Ferdinand II in 1469 led to the conquest of Granada in 1492, ending 781 years of Muslim rule in Iberia.
2. 1492 was also significant for Christopher Columbus's arrival in America under Isabella's patronage and the enforcement of the Inquisition against Iberian Jews.
3. The unified kingdom, España (Spain), became the first "world power" with vast holdings across the globe, leading in discovery and accumulating wealth from colonies.
4. Spain's Golden Age saw new resources from the New World, intellectual reforms, humanism, the beginnings of the Protestant Reformation, and the founding of the School of Salamanca.
5. Challenges included Barbary pirate raids, constant warfare with France, religious unrest due to the Protestant Reformation, and the Great Plague of Seville in the 1650s.
6. Spain's power gradually declined, losing European holdings (Portugal, Netherlands) and suffering military setbacks in the Thirty Years' War.
7. Further decline occurred with Napoleon's invasion and the Spanish War of Independence in the early 19th century, leading to political turmoil.
8. The 19th and 20th centuries saw wars of independence from its colonies, the Spanish-American War, and the Spanish Civil War (1930s), which brought Fascism and authoritarian rule.
9. The death of General Francisco Franco in 1975 marked the restoration of the monarchy, followed by the introduction of Democracy in 1978 with the Spanish Constitution.
10. Spain joined NATO in 1982 and the European Community (now EU) in 1986.
11. Today, Spain is a major world player with the ninth largest economy and tenth highest quality of life, influencing global culture and identity.

In-Game Relevance:

• Spain has two unique units, particularly useful during the medieval periods, which are crucial for military focus.
• The "Seven Cities of Gold" bonus provides significant happiness from hidden wonders, offering a strong city boost, even justifying wars to secure them.

Isabella I:

• Queen of Castile and Leon, she consolidated Spain with her husband Ferdinand.
• Regarded as a beloved and important monarch for her role in Spanish unification, patronage of Columbus, and ending the Reconquista.
• Born April 22, 1451, to John II of Castile and Isabella of Portugal.