Spanish History: Charles I, War of Succession, Al-Andalus

Charles I of Spain and the War of Spanish Succession

Charles of Austria, under the name of Charles I (1516^[1]-1556), first joined in his person the crowns of Castile and Aragon, and was Emperor of the Holy Roman Empire as Charles V (1519-1558).

The War of Spanish Succession was an international conflict over the succession to the throne of Spain following the death of Charles II. It lasted from 1701 until 1713, although resistance in Catalonia continued until 1714 and in Mallorca until 1715. This war resulted in the establishment of the House of Bourbon in Spain. For this country, it was also a civil war between Bourbon and Austrian supporters belonging to the old Hispanic kingdoms of Castile and Aragon, whose last embers were not extinguished until 1744, with the capitulation of Mallorca to the forces of Philip V.

Conquest of Al-Andalus

Between 711 and 715, the Muslims occupied a part of the Iberian Peninsula, but without any real control north of the Central System. The Mediterranean part and the southernmost population experienced an overflow of local populations, which were adapted to the new situation. The occupation of the southern peninsula, with the massive introduction of North African populations, was quickly established.

Emirate of Cordoba

In the year 756, Abd ar-Rahman I arrived in Cordoba and established a dynasty that ruled al-Andalus until 1031. In 773, Abd al-Rahman I created the Emirate of Cordoba, administratively and politically independent of the Caliphate of Damascus, but it remained a unit with the same cultural, spiritual, and moral values. Still, the real organizer of the independent emirate was Abd al-Rahman II, who delegated powers to the viziers.

In the year 912, Abd al-Rahman III took the throne when the political decline of the emirate was a fact. Trying to break down the uprisings and conflicts, he was proclaimed caliph in 929, establishing the Caliphate of Cordoba.

Caliphate of Cordoba

In 929, Abd al-Rahman III established the Caliphate of Cordoba, claiming religious independence from Baghdad. The proclamation of the Caliphate had a twofold purpose: Internally, the Umayyads wanted to strengthen their position. Externally, they aimed to strengthen trade routes in the Mediterranean, ensuring economic relations with Byzantium and securing the supply of gold.

Officially, the Caliphate of Cordoba continued to exist until 1031, when it was abolished, resulting in the fragmentation of the Umayyad state into many realms known as Taifa kingdoms.