Pre-hispanic cultures

By miranda.sotelo
  • 2500 BCE

    Preclassical

    Preclassical
  • 1500 BCE

    olmecs

    olmecs
  • Period: 1500 BCE to 1200 BCE

    Olmecs

    Considered the "mother culture" of Mesoamerica, known for their colossal heads and influence on
    later civilizations.
  • 1200 BCE

    Zapotecs

    Zapotecs
  • Period: 1200 BCE to 400 BCE

    Zapotecs

    Develop in Monte Albán, establishing a complex society with writing and monumental architecture.
  • 1000 BCE

    Teotihuacán

    Teotihuacán
  • Period: 1000 BCE to 500

    Teotihuacán

    Height of the city, becoming an important cultural and commercial center with its famous
    Pyramid of the Sun.
  • 250

    Classical

    Classical
  • 300

    Maya

    Maya
  • Period: 300 to 900

    Maya

    Classic Period, flourishing in southern Mexico and Central
    America, with advances in astronomy, mathematics, and writing.
  • 500

    Post Classical

    Post Classical
  • Period: 600 to 900

    Toltecs

    Known for their art and architecture, influencing later cultures such as the Mexicas.
  • 1325

    Mixtecas

    Mixtecas
  • Period: 1325 to 1521

    Mexicas (Aztecs)

    Foundation of
    Tenochtitlán and expansion of an
    empire through alliances and conquests, rich in culture and religion.
  • 1470

    Incas

    Incas
  • Period: 1470 to 1532

    Incas

    Formation of the Inca Empire in the Andean region, known for advanced agricultural techniques and architecture, such as Machu Picchu.
  • 1492

    Christopher Columbus reaches de New World

    Christopher Columbus reaches de New World
    Columbus' voyage marks the beginning of Spain's expansion in the Americas.
  • 1494

    Treaty of Tordesillas

    Treaty of Tordesillas
    Spain and Portugal divide the world into spheres of influence to avoid territorial conflicts.
  • 1500

    Pedro Álvarez reaches Brazil

    Pedro Álvarez reaches Brazil
    Portugal establishes a presence in what is now Brazil
  • Period: 1519 to 1521

    Hernán Cortés conquers the Aztec empire

    Spain establishes itself as a power in Central and North America.
  • Period: 1532 to 1533

    Francisco Pizarro conquers the Inca Empire

    Spain secures control of much of South America
  • 1535

    Creación of the viceroyalty of New Spain

    Creación of the viceroyalty of New Spain
    The vast region conquered by Cortés is organized under Spanish colonial governance.
  • 1542

    Laws of Indies

    Laws of Indies
    Spain enacts regulations to govern its colonies and protect indigenous peoples.
  • 1565

    Establisment of the first Spanish colony in the Philippines

    Establisment of the first Spanish colony in the Philippines
    Spain extends its empire into Asia.
  • 1580

    Union of the crowns of Spain and Portugal

    Union of the crowns of Spain and Portugal
    King Philip II of Spain also assumes the throne of Portugal, expanding his empire.
  • Period: to

    Golden age of Spain

    Spain experiences cultural and economic flourishing, with figures like Velázquez and Cervantes.

  • Spain loses dominance in the low countries

    Spain loses dominance in the low countries
    After years of war, the Netherlands gains independence from Spain.
  • Period: to

    War of Spanish succession

    Spain fights for European control, with Philip V emerging victorious, beginning the Bourbon dynasty.
  • Period: to

    Treaty of Utrecht

    Spain loses territories in Europe, like the Low Countries, but retains its hold on the Americas.

  • Napoleonic invasion and Spanish war for independence

    Napoleonic invasion and Spanish war for independence
    colonies fight for independence, starting with Venezuela and Mexico.
  • Period: to

    Latin American wars of independence

    Spanish colonies fight for independence, starting with Venezuela and Mexico.

  • Spanish-American war

    Spanish-American war
    Spain loses its last major colonies, including Cuba, Puerto Rico, the Philippines, and Guam, marking the end of the empire.

  • End of Spanish civil war

    End of Spanish civil war
    Though no longer a superpower, Spain enters a period of dictatorship under Francisco Franco.