Spain: History
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Christopher Columbus arrives in the Americas, commencing a period of conquest throughout South and Central America. The acquisition of these lands helps Spain to become the prominent power in Europe throughout the 16th and 17th centuries.
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troops led by Napoleon occupy Spain until Nationalist resistance, along with the British intervention, force French troops out in 1814. The French occupation rendered Spain both politically and economically unstable.
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, Puerto Rico, and the are lost after a Spanish defeat in the Spanish-American War. Spain no longer controls any colonies in Latin America.
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Spain becomes one of the largest suppliers of foodstuffs and raw materials during World War I, resulting in a massive trade boom for the nation.
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Francisco Franco leads Spanish Nationalists to victory in the Spanish Civil War. Spain's economy is devastated as a result of the war and Franco's economic policy of self-sufficiency, which cut off international trade.
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Spain's and industries expand rapidly as a result of state controls being lifted.
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Spain joins the European Economic Community, which later becomes the .
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The peseta is replaced by the euro as Spain's currency.
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Spain's unemployment rate soars to over 20%, prompting parliament to approve a 15 billion-euro austerity package.
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Spain's unemployment rate soars to a new record of 27.2% of the workforce in the first quarter, passing the six million figure, although the rate of increase slows.
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Madrid imposes direct rule in Catalonia after voters in a referendum back separation from Spain.
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Pedro Sánchez forms minority coalition government with left-wing Podemos party after winning a narrow parliamentary vote of confidence.