-
Period: 300 to
Power of the church
The Catholic Church held significant political, economic, and cultural influence in Europe, affecting decisions and governance. -
Period: 800 to 1500
Feudal system
Socioeconomic system where feudal lords controlled lands, and serfs worked on them in exchange for protection; dominant during the Middle Ages. -
Period: 1300 to
Little ice age
Period of global cooling that affected climates and harvests in Europe, impacting the economy and society. -
Period: 1337 to 1453
Hundred Years’ War
Conflict between England and France over territorial rights and succession, weakening both kingdoms and marking the decline of feudalism in many aspects. -
Period: 1347 to 1351
Black Death
Bubonic plague epidemic that devastated Europe’s population, deeply affecting the economy and social structure. -
1469
Marriage of Isabella of Castile and Ferdinand of Aragon
United two of the most powerful kingdoms in the Iberian Peninsula, laying the foundation for a unified Spain under Catholic monarchs. -
1478
Establishment of the Spanish Inquisition
Authorized by the Pope to pursue heresy and ensure religious unity, particularly targeting converted Jews and Muslims (conversos and moriscos). -
1492
Sponsorship of Columbus’s Voyages
Isabella and Ferdinand financed Columbus’s voyage, leading to the discovery of the New World and the beginning of European colonization in the Americas. -
1492
First Voyage of Christopher Columbus
Columbus, under Spanish sponsorship, reached the Americas, marking the start of European interest in the New World, though he believed he had found a new route to Asia. -
1492
Expulsion of Jews from Spain
The Catholic Monarchs issued the Edict of Granada, ordering Jews to convert to Christianity or leave, impacting Spain’s economy and culture. -
Period: 1492 to 1500
Beginning of Spanish Colonization in the Americas
Following Columbus’s voyages, Spain established colonies in the Caribbean and later expanded into Central and South America. -
1493
Papal Bulls of Alexander VI (Alexandrian Bulls)
Papal decrees dividing new lands between Spain and Portugal, supporting exploration, conquest, and conversion of Indigenous peoples to Christianity. -
1494
Treaty of tordesillas
Treaty negotiated by the Pope, dividing the New World between Spain and Portugal. Spain received most of the Americas, while Portugal claimed Brazil. -
1500
Portugués colonization of Brazil
Pedro Álvares Cabral reached Brazil, and Portugal began establishing sugar plantations using African slave labor. -
1519
Spanish arrival to Tenochtitlán
Hernán Cortés and his forces entered the Aztec capital, marking the start of the Spanish conquest of Mexico. -
Jun 30, 1520
La Noche Triste (The Sad Night) in Tenochtitlán
Spanish forces suffered a significant defeat while fleeing Tenochtitlán after a rebellion by the Aztecs. -
1521
Fall of Tenochtitlán
The Aztec capital was captured by the Spanish, ending the Aztec Empire and establishing Spanish dominance in Mexico. -
1522
First Spanish Settlements in the Americas
The Spanish began to establish settlements in newly conquered territories. -
1535
Establishment of the Viceroyalty of New Spain
King Charles I of Spain created New Spain as an administrative region, with Antonio de Mendoza as the first viceroy. -
1536
First Mint in the Americas in Mexico City
Established to produce currency for the New World, supporting Spanish trade and economy. -
1540
Silver Mines in Zacatecas and Guanajuato
Discovery of rich silver deposits that became crucial for the Spanish economy, enriching the Spanish crown. -
1542
Promulgation of the New Laws
Enacted by King Charles I to protect Indigenous people from abuses under the encomienda system, though often poorly enforced. -
1545
Indigenous Revolts in Central Mexico
Series of uprisings against Spanish rule, reflecting Indigenous resistance to colonization. -
Period: to
French Expansion and First Settlements
France established its first colonies in Canada, focusing on the fur trade, with settlements at Port Royal (1604) and Quebec (1608). -
Period: to
English Colonization in North America
England established its first permanent colony at Jamestown, Virginia, in 1607, and Plymouth Colony in Massachusetts in 1620. -
Establishment of the Spanish Inquisition Tribunal in New Spain
The Inquisition established a formal tribunal to monitor heresy and moral offenses. -
Popular Rebellion in Mexico City
A revolt led to the temporary removal of Viceroy Diego Carrillo de Mendoza due to economic hardships and political tensions. -
Pueblo Revolt in New Mexico
Indigenous rebellion temporarily expelled Spanish settlers from the region, demonstrating resistance to colonial rule. -
Riot in Mexico City
Economic hardships and discontent led Indigenous and mestizo populations to protest rising food costs and Spanish policies. -
Treaty of Utrecht and Bourbon Dynasty in Spain
Ended the War of Spanish Succession and established the Bourbon family as the ruling dynasty in Spain. -
Bourbon Reforms by José de Gálvez
Reforms centralizing power, increasing taxation, and strengthening the Spanish crown’s control over colonies. -
Expulsion of Jesuits from Spanish Territories
Part of the Bourbon Reforms, removing the influential Jesuit order from Spanish-controlled lands. -
Intendancy System in New Spain
Administrative reorganization giving more power to regional governors (intendents) as part of the Bourbon Reforms. -
Census in New Spain as Part of Bourbon Reforms .
A census conducted to improve colonial administration and implement further reforms