Expansion and decline of an empire: a history of Spain from the reign of Ferdinand and Isabel to the Napoleonic invasion. Analysis of the unification and the colonization of America, from its sixteenth-century heyday through eighteenth-century decadence. Focus on political, socio-economic, religious and cultural perspectives.
Dirigido a
Curriculum: Fulfills Humanities Requirement for Business and Engineering; IAS Certificate Elective.
The course attempts to present the student with a clear presentation of the History of Early Modern Spain and its most significant historical issues.
By encouraging critical thinking and historical interest, the course will guide the student to pursue further studies in History or other related disciplines.
II. Course description:
The course will cover the history of Spain from the end of the Middle Ages to the late eighteenth century.
Special attention will be paid to the creation of a national Spanish state after unification as well as to the expansion and decline of the Spanish Empire.
The main issues covered will deal with the political, social, economic, religious, and cultural developments of Early Modern Spain.
III. Specific topics will include:
Medieval heritage of Spain.
The Spain of Ferdinand and Isabella: The forging of a nation.
From Reconquest to conquest.
The consolidation of the absolutist state.
Charles V and the Comunero Revolt.
Government and economy during the reign of Charles V.
From nation to world empire: Philip II and the union of Spain and Portugal.
The Inquisition and the religious minorities.
Society and economy of imperial Spain.
From splendor to decadence.
Society and economy of decadent Spain.
Reform and defeat.
The new order: the Bourbons.
The Enlightenment. Reformism and progress: Charles III.
Bourbon society and economy.
IV. Textbook and reader (available in SLU bookstore).
John H. Elliott, Imperial Spain, 1469-1716 (Penguin).
Two Spanish Picaresque Novels. Lazarillo de Tormes. The Swindler (Penguin).
