Spanish Empire: How One of Europe's Largest Empires Inaugurated Colonialism across the World

The marriage of Ferdinand of Aragon and Isabella of Castile in the late 15th century laid the foundation for what would become the Spanish Empire. Their union created a personal alliance between the two powerful kingdoms, forming the basis for modern Spain. This confederation of the Crowns of Castile and Aragon brought together Iberia's economic and military strength under the House of Trastámara, although the two crowns remained legally distinct. The union proved significant because it ena...