All Questions
20 questions
52
votes
11
answers
177k
views
Why were Spain and Portugal neutral / not invaded in WWII?
Why weren't Spain and Portugal involved in World War II with either side? Was not Franco sympathetic with the Axis powers given the help they offered during the civil war?
Also, given their strategic ...
- 3,587
21
votes
8
answers
8k
views
Even though Spain and Portugal had many colonies (15th/16th C), what factors permitted UK/France to become world powers later (18th/19th C)?
Some of the first European countries to acquire colonies in the "New World" (and elsewhere) were Spain and Portugal. They "discovered America" (as the euro-centric interpretation goes), and had ...
- 4,007
19
votes
5
answers
8k
views
How and when was Portugal created?
We all know that the Iberian Peninsula is separated between two major countries Spain and Portugal. When and how was the country now known as Portugal formed?
Portuguese is very similar to the ...
- 1,499
19
votes
5
answers
5k
views
What did other European powers say when Portugal and Spain signed the Treaty of Tordesillas?
In 1494, Portugal and Castile (succeeded by Spain) divided all lands outside Europe, including the newly "on-discovering" Americas, between them signing the Treaty of Tordesillas.
What were the ...
- 458
16
votes
3
answers
3k
views
Why isn't there a single trace of Germanic influence in Iberian Languages?
In this question, I would like to make a comparison between two settlements that occurred in the Early Middle Ages in Europe, that seem to be very similar, however they had very distinct outcomes ...
- 441
15
votes
2
answers
4k
views
Muslim population in Islamic Iberia
Is there a record or estimate of the Muslim population count in Iberia (Spain/Portugal) during the peak of Islamic rule? Probably 10th or 11th century?
And how big was this in percent of all Iberian ...
- 3,352
13
votes
5
answers
3k
views
Why didn't King Ferdinand take over Portugal during the Spanish Reconquista?
After unifying Castile, Leon, Navarre, and Aragon through marriage, Ferdinand I proceeded to conquer the Emirate of Granada and almost unified the Iberian Peninsula, but left Portugal alone.
Is there ...
12
votes
2
answers
2k
views
Why did England and Portugal cheap out on the Battle of Aljubarrota?
One of the most important and famous battles in the Iberian Peninsula took place in Aljubarrota. There were two main parties:
Castile (with Aragonese, French and Italian support)
Portugal (with ...
- 233
11
votes
8
answers
3k
views
Is there a relationship between Portugal and Spain being able to discover the New World and the Moor occupation?
This documentary circa 01:07:20 discusses the Renaissance in Toledo. To me that seems plausible. The knowledge and culture brought by the Moors seems a much better catalyzer to escape the dark ages' ...
- 763
9
votes
2
answers
758
views
Did the Portuguese and the Spanish have slaves on European soil working for them?
I know the Portuguese and the Spanish had slaves working for them on the overseas colonies, but what about on their own soil in Europe?
- 91
9
votes
2
answers
2k
views
Inflation rates in Spain and Portugal during the 16th century
What were the monthly or yearly inflation rates in Spain and Portugal during the 16th century?
Is there data for the amount of silver or gold possessed by the crowns during that period? How much did ...
- 193
6
votes
1
answer
2k
views
Were Magellan's wife and kids held hostage?
I feel like I read somewhere that, in an attempt to make sure Ferdinand Magellan returned to Spain, King Charles held his wife and kids hostage (or at least kept them in the area) until he returned ...
- 163
4
votes
3
answers
1k
views
Why didn't Spain and Portugal become industrial powerhouses in the 20th century?
Although Spain experienced a gruesome civil war, neither Spain nor Portugal participated in either the first or the second world wars. Despite their losses of millions of people, widespread ...
- 1,377
4
votes
4
answers
8k
views
Has Morocco ever claimed ownership of the Canary and Madeira islands?
Has Morocco ever claimed ownership of the Canary and Madeira islands? If no, then why not?
How about the island countries Cabo Verde and São Tomé and their African continental neighbours?
- 763
3
votes
1
answer
117
views
Where can I find information about Spanish soldiers in Porto? 1596-1598
Currently I'm doing a research on early-modern History in the city of Porto, Portugal. I'm very interested about demography- emigration- and what I wanted to do was to find Spanish people during the ...
2
votes
1
answer
1k
views
During the Peninsula War, what British material aid was given to Spain/Portugal?
The Peninsular War saw France intervene on the Iberian Peninsula, first against Portugal, then against Spain. It lasted roughly from 1808 - 1814.
I would like to know what material Britain gave to ...
- 17.3k
2
votes
0
answers
402
views
What was the number of native casualties in the Muslim invasion of Hispania?
Where can I find information about the number of casualties amongst native peoples produced by the Muslim invasion of Visigothic Hispania?
Strangely, it's very easy to get an estimate of the number ...
- 129
1
vote
0
answers
98
views
Did António de Spínola request a Spanish intervention in Portugal?
The English Language Wikipedia article on the Iberian Pact claims that "In March 1975, after the Carnation Revolution in Portugal, António de Spínola attempted to invoke the pact to demand ...
- 3,801
-1
votes
2
answers
2k
views
Why didn't the Christian kingdoms in Hispania participate in the crusades? [closed]
I have read in the history of crusaders that Catholic kingdoms in Europe including England and France and Holy Roman Empire participated in the crusades but not Spain, any clear reason for that? ...
- 1,061
-4
votes
2
answers
2k
views
The crusades against the Moors [closed]
It seems to me that recent history portrays the Christian crusaders as evil and brutal for taking back Spain from the Islamic Moors who conquered them and toppled the Spanish government and ruled over ...
- 11