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Spain Declares War Against Great Britain
King Charles III wouldn't agree to a treaty of alliance with the United States. However, an influential French Minister arranged a treaty with Spain, encouraging them to join war against the British. The American Revolution had already started a world war, and Spain ensured that the British would have to spread their resources. The king wanted to reclaim Gibraltar for Spain and secure Spanish borders in North America. So, the Spanish immediately took action in the Mediterranean Sea. -
Venezuela Independence from Spain
Venezuela was the first South American nation to formally break all ties with Spain. Spain made its colonies pay high taxes and gave them limited opportunities. Soon after, other colonies began to demand for their own independence. -
Spanish-American War
The Spanish-American War was declared official after the sinking of the Battleship Maine in Havana. It was fought to end Spanish colonial rule in the Americas. The United States won and Spain the signed the Treaty of Paris, gave up their control of Cuba, and the remains of its overseas empire, Puerto Rico, the Philippines Islands, Guam, and other islands. -
King Alfonso XIII
While King Alfonso XIII was in power he continuously tried to intervene in politics to overthrow the current period’s government. He was later forced to resign because winners of a war the king was involved in demanded the his removal, though he refused to abdicate the throne. However he planned to reconstruct Spain’s political side under a constitutional monarchy. Spain became a republic. Five years later, the country took part in a civil war. -
Spanish Civil War
The war began when General Francisco Franco broadcasted a message asking for all army officers to unite in an uprising and overthrow Spain’s Republican government. The Republicans and the opponent, the Nationalists (rebels) made sure to secure their territories by executing thousands of suspected political opponents. The Nationalists eventually won the war and changed the government. A single party government was created, and Franco became Spain’s dictator. -
Spain becomes a Constitutional Monarchy
In 1975 Franco died and the government of Spain became a constitutional monarchy. Juan Carlos was crowned King of Spain. The action of the creation of a new government was to settle as a compromise between citizens that wanting a republican government and those that supported a monarchy. This change helped Spain hold more political stability and allow the reform Spain’s government and political policies. As well as increasing its relations with the rest of the world. -
Spain joins NATO
Spain joins Nato, Formally being the 16th member of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization. Spain agreed to not allow nuclear weapons to be used from or stored in its territory, -
Terrorists Hit Madrid
On this day, 10 bombs exploded on four trains in and around Atocha Station. The damage left 191 dead and more than 1,800 injured. With elections nearing in just three days, the attacks had major political consequences. The day following the attack, a huge movement took place in the country, demonstrations against the violence and in support of the victims with millions of people supporting and participating. -
Same Sex Marrige
Parliament disregards opinion of Roman Catholic Church when legalizing gay marriage. Spain being the fourth country in the world to do so, granted homosexual couples the same rights as heterosexual couples. -
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Spain Economy Crisis
In January 2009, the Spanish economy entered recession. The unemployment rate soared to 17.4% leaving over 4 million people jobless. Thousands took part in a mass labor movement against the government for spending cuts and plans to raise the retirement age. In 2010, Parliament approved an austerity package. January of 2012, unemployment rate reached 22.8%, over 5 million people left jobless. Spain slipped back into recession and requested help from the eurozone financial emergency facility.
