Spain and her colonies
Archibald Wilberforce’s Spain and Her Colonies (1898) is a sweeping historical survey tracing Spain’s evolution from antiquity through its imperial zenith and eventual decline, with particular focus on the cultural, political, and economic dynamics of its colonies. It blends narrative history with thematic chapters on religion, art, and colonial struggles, offering a late‑19th‑century perspective on Spain’s global role.
Structure of the Book
- Spain in antiquity: Early Iberian civilizations and Roman influence.
- Caliphate of Cordova: Muslim rule and cultural flourishing in medieval Spain.
- Medieval Spain: Christian kingdoms, Reconquista, and dynastic struggles.
- Moorish Spain: Legacy of Islamic art, science, and architecture.
- The Inquisition: Religious orthodoxy, persecution, and its impact on society.
- Their Catholic Majesties: Ferdinand and Isabella’s unification of Spain and sponsorship of Columbus.
- United Spain: Rise of centralized monarchy and empire.
- Colonial Spain: Expansion into the Americas, Asia, and Africa.
- Fall of the Empire: Economic decline, wars, and loss of colonies.
- Philippines: Spanish rule in Asia and its challenges.
- Hispano-American War: 1898 conflict leading to Spain’s loss of Cuba, Puerto Rico, and the Philippines.
- Spanish art, literature, and sport: Cultural achievements and national identity.
Except
Hispania is s the name by which the Romans called the peninsula which is made up of Spain and Portugal. The origin of the name is disputed.
To the Greeks, the country was known as Hesperia — the Land of the Setting Sun. According to Mariana, Spain is called after its founder, Hispanus, a son or grandson of Hercules. But, for reasons hereinafter related, better authorities derive it from the Phoenician Span.
There is a legend that Mariana recites, to the effect that the primal laws of Spain were written in verse, and framed six thousand years before the beginning of Time. To medieval makers of chronicles, Tubal, the fifth son of Japhet, was the first to set foot on its shore. But earlier historians, ignorant of Noah's descendant, and, it may be, better informed, hold that after the episodes connected with the Golden Fleece, the Argonauts, guided by Her- oules, sailed the seas and loitered a while in Spain, where they were joined by refugees escaping from the totter and fall of Troy. Black was their national colour. It has been retained in the mantillas of today.
After the Greek r.d- venturers came the Phoenicians. The latter, a peaceful people, born traders, as are all of Semitic origin, founded a colony at Gaddir (Cadiz). In a remoter era, they had established themselves at Canaan, where they built Bylos, Sidon and Tyre. From Tyre emigrants moved to Africa. Their headquarters was Kartha-Hadath, literally
New- town, that Carthage in whose ruins Marius was to weep. The Phoenicians, as has been noted, were a peaceful people. Under a burning sun, their younger brothers developed into tigers. They had the storm for an ally. They ravaged the coast like whirlwinds.
They took Sicily, then Sardinia. Presently there was a quarrel at Gaddir. It was only natural that the Phoenicians should ask for the aid of their relatives. The Carthaginians responded, and, find- ing the country to their taste, took possession of it on their own account.
To the Romans, with whom already they had crossed swords, they said nothing of this new possession. It seemed wiser to leave it unmentioned than to guard it with protecting, yet disclosive, treaties. More than once they scuttled their triremes — suspicious sails were following them to its shore. From this vigilance, the name of Spain is derived. In Punic, Span signifies hidden.
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