The Spanish Empire

In this episode of History 102, Rudyard Lynch and Erik Torenberg delve into critical historical moments and patterns, focusing on the Spanish Empire's unique and often overlooked role in shaping the modern world. This episode challenges common historical narratives by examining Spain's extractive policies, and the consequences of its colonization efforts, including the impact on indigenous populations and the development of an extractive culture that contrasts with other Western societies' developmental paths. SPONSORS: BEEHIIV Head to Beehiiv, the newsletter platform built for growth, to power your own. Connect with premium brands, scale your audience, and deliver a beautiful UX that stands out in an inbox. 🐝 to https://Beehiiv.com and use code “MOZ” for 20% off your first three months 🌐 Ready to achieve your 2024 goals? Start learning a new language with Babbel in just three weeks. Enjoy app lessons, live classes, and podcasts designed for real-world conversations. Get up to 60% off at babbel.com/torenberg – Recommended Podcast: Company Breakdowns Each episode of Company Breakdowns dives into S-1s and series B-and-beyond companies, interviewing founders and investors to break down the companies. First episode is on Rubrik - which just IPO'd. Coming up this season: Databricks, Reddit + more, Spotify Apple – This show is produced by Turpentine: a network of podcasts, newsletters, and more, covering technology, business, and culture — all from the perspective of industry insiders and experts. We’re launching new shows every week, and we’re looking for industry-leading sponsors — if you think that might be you and your company, email us at [email protected]. – FOLLOW ON X: @whatifalthist (Rudyard) @eriktorenberg (Erik) @TurpentineMedia – TIMESTAMPS: (00:00) Intro (02:30) Exploring the Roots of Global Inequality (03:56) The Formation of the Spanish Empire: From Medieval Europe to Columbus (09:13) Columbus' Dark Legacy and the Consequences of Conquest (12:14) The Spanish Inquisition: Reality vs. Myth (15:46) Sponsor: Beehiiv | Turpentine | Babbel (24:09) Extractive Systems and Their Impact (33:11) The Conquest of the Aztecs (35:12) The Aztec Empire: Conquest and Sacrifice (36:02) Cortes and the Fall of the Aztecs (38:37) Population Collapse and Cultural Impact (39:24) The Inca Empire: Swift Expansion and Spanish Conquest (41:17) Exploring the Spanish Empire: Governance and Social Structure (45:16) The Decline of the Spanish Empire: Economic Mismanagement and Independence Movements (1:01:23) Final Thoughts and Recommendations (1:02:03) Wrap Recommended Books: Guns, Germs, and Steel: The Fates of Human Societies by Jared Diamond Empires of the Atlantic World: Britain and Spain in America 1492-1830 by John H. Elliott The Story of the Americas by Leland DeWitt Baldwin A History of Latin America by Hurbert Herring Forgotten Continent: A History of the New Latin America by Michael Reid