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1492
Chistopher Columbus Sails the Ocean Blue
Christopher Columbus sails west in search for a direct water route to Asia. Instead, Columbus finds the Americas. Colonization of the Americas begins the next year. -
1516
Charles V Inherits Two Crowns
Charles V becomes king of Spain, also giving him power over the Spanish colonies in the Americas. -
1521
Cortes Conquers the Aztecs
The Spanish, led by the conquistador Hernan Cortes, conquer the Aztec Empire. The Spanish then build Mexico City over the old Aztec capital. -
1532
Pizarro Takes Peru
Francisco Pizarro was a Spanish conquistador who led an expedition to conquer the Incan Empire. This firmly establishes Spanish control over South America. -
1554
Phillip II Marries Mary I
This marriage forms an alliance between Spain and England until Mary I dies 4 years later. -
1556
Charles V Abdicates
Charles V gives up his titles and enters a monastery. He splits his empire between his brother and son. He gives the Hapsburg lands to his brother and gives Spain, the Netherlands, and some southern Italian states to his son. -
1556
Phillip II Comes to Power
Phillip II reigns as an absolute monarch who claims his divine power. He expands Spanish influence and strengthens the Catholic Church. He also fails when attempting to invade England using the Spanish Armada. -
1571
The Battle of Lepanto
The Battle of Lepanto is a naval engagement in the Gulf of Patras between the Holy League and the Ottoman Empire. The Holy League's main powers were the Spanish and Venetian Empires. The Ottoman Empire suffers a major defeat in this battle. -
The Spanish Armada
The Spanish Armada is a fleet of 130 ships sent by Phillip II to invade England. The English fleet defeat this armada. -
End of Spain's Golden Age
The age of flourishing arts and literature, and the political rise of the Spanish Hapsburg Dynasty ends.
