Spain is one of the greatest colonial powers the world has seen. Almost five thousand years ago, the Celts and Phoenicians settled in Spain. It became a part of the Roman Empire in 200 BC.
The Romans ruled Spain for centuries until they were invaded by the Visigoths in AD 475. The Moors from North Africa later conquered the kingdom. Christian kings gradually gained control over Spain, expelled the Moors and made it a Catholic kingdom.
After its unification, it was a period of expansion for Spain. The Spanish conquered most of the Americas and set up colonies. But their superpower status began to recede in the 1600s.
In the 19th century, Spain was defeated in the Napoleonic War. Napoleon’s brother became the king for a brief while, but was soon overthrown and the Spanish monarchy was restored.
The Spanish Civil War started in 1936 and after three years of turmoil, the Spanish Republic was established. Francisco Franco became the new leader who ruled the country till 1975.
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