| Description |
Long before Victorian Britain became synonymous with world empire, there was Spain. In the 16th century, the kingdoms of medieval Iberia banded together to forge the first global monarchy, reaching from Latin America to the Philippines--only to watch it disintegrate in the 17th and 18th centuries. Understanding Spain's Golden Age is essential for interpreting not only the histories of modern Spain and Latin America, but also the history of the early modern world. Topics include the creation of Spanish identity; Christian, Muslim, and Jewish relations; the Renaissance; the governance of Empire; imperial decline; and the Enlightenment. |