Explanation: 1492, Columbus set sail for "India."
In 1492, an Italian navigator by the name of Christopher Columbus set sail to the west, sponsored by the Spanish Crown, to find another sea route to India and Asia. He grossly misjudged the size of the earth and ended up in what is now America. However, his discovery lead to the Spanish colonization of Central and much of South America. 1492, the Unification of Spain.
For the first time, Spain was unified under one flag in 1492. The numerous city-states and warring kingdoms were brought together by the marriage of King Ferdinand to Queen Isabella of the houses Aragon and Castile. Shortly after their union they drove the Muslim Moors out of Spain, after over 800 years of occupation. 1513, Juan Ponce de Leon claimed Florida for Spain.
In search of the fabled Fountain of Youth, explorer Ponce de Leon lands on the coast of Florida. His is the first documented landing and detailed exploration of Florida. in 1521 he returned to establish a colony, but was rebuffed by natives. Finally in 1565, St. Augustine was settled. 1515, Cuba and the Caribbean under Spanish control.
In 1515, the Cuban and Caribbean islands came under Spanish control. These would become great centers of commerce and agriculture in later years, with sugar plantations bringing in vast amounts of wealth to the Spanish Crown. 1548, Vasco de Gama discovered a new route from Europe to Asia.
Before the time of Vasco de Gama, traders had to trek over dangerous deserts in order to reach the lands of Asia, rich with fine spices and fabrics. de Gama changed all this when he discovered that it is possible to sail around the tip of Africa and around to India. This had been speculated before, but he was the first to accomplish this feat, meeting many never-before encountered African tribes along the way. 1519, Magellan set sail on first round-the-globe expedition.
In 1519, a Portuguese explorer under the sponsorship of the Spanish Crown, set sail on a voyage around the world. This was the first successful trip around the entire globe, although Magellan himself did not complete the journey. He died in the Philippians, and his journey was completed by his second in command, Juan Elcano. 1521, Aztecs conquered by Cortes.
Before the Spanish Cortes and his Conquistadors invaded Aztec land, the Aztecs were one of the most powerful nations in the Americas. With a fully functioning road system, detailed hierarchy that easily kept control, and a massive store of gold, the Aztec Empire was one to rival those of ancient Persia or Rome. But Cortes had many things on his side. Diseases never before seen by the Aztecs tore through their population. Guns and steel weaponry far surpassed the iron tools used by the Aztecs. Added to this was the fact that many other tribes had long held anger against the conquering Aztecs, and pledged their support to Cortes. Only a few short years later, the once great Aztec Empire was a ruin, controlled by religious fanatics dedicated to wiping out anything that remained of Aztec life. 1533, Peru taken by Pizarro for Spain.
In a campaign remarkably similar to that of Cortes in 1521, Pizarro conquered the great Inca Empire of Peru. The same destruction caused by illnesses and superior weaponry were prevalent in this invasion, as were the native allies to the Spanish against the Incas. This new addition to the Spanish colonial empire strengthened it tremendously, growing Spain's vast wealth and great political power. 1542, Spanish discover California.
On September 28, 1542, Juan Rodriguez Cabrillo land on the coast of California, the first Europeans to set foot on the western coast of America. The first permanent settlement on the Pacific coast was established here in 1769, called the Presidio at San Diego. 1545, Potosi discovered.
in 1545, a mountain filled with silver was discovered by the Spanish in what is current day Bolivia. Immediately mining began. Thousands of native slaves were forced into labor in the hazardous silver mines, and the even more deadly mines of the mercury needed to refine the silver.
Massive amounts of precious metals began flowing into the royal coffers. The Spanish rulers, however, had no knowledge of inflation and thus had no idea that shortly after the influx of silver, the Spanish economy collapsed.
