Spanish State

Ferdinand of Aragon married Isabella of Castile. Their marriage produced the modern state of Spain. The last Muslim stronghold, Granada, was captured in 1492, the same year that Columbus discovered America. The riches of the Americas went to the crown (king) and helped to finance the wars of Charles V and Philip II. The 16th century was the golden age of Spain.

Spanish absolutism was intolerant of religious diversity (Muslims and Jews), weakened the development of a middle class, and squandered its resources on wars. The defeat of the Spanish Armada (1588) and the loss of the United Provinces of the Netherlands (completed by 1648) mark the end of Spain's greatness.

                | and Isabella, 1479 - 1504

Ferdinand | and Philip I, 1504 - 1506

                | and Charles I, 1506 - 1516

Habsburg Dynasty

Charles I (was also Holy Roman Emperor Charles V), 1516 - 1556
Philip II, 1556 - 1598
Philip III, 1598 - 1621
Philip IV, 1621 - 1665
Charles II, 1665- 1700

Bourbon Dynasty

Philip V, 1700 - 1746 was grandson of Louis XIV of France
Ferdinand VI, 1746 - 1759
Charles III, 1759 - 1788
Charles IV, 1788 - 1808
Ferdinand VII, 1808

Napoleonic Spain

Joseph Bonaparte, 1808 - 1813

Bourbons Restored

Ferdinand VII (restored) 1814 - 1833
Isabella II, 1833 - 1868

Restored Monarchy

Alfonso XII, 1874 - 1885
Alfonso XIII,1886 - 1931

Republic, 1931 - 1939

Fascist Dictatorship, 1939 - 1975

Restored Monarchy

Juan Carlos I, 1975 -