Click on the Spanish Coat of Arms to learn more about Spain and its colonies.

Interactive popup. Assistance may be required. Image of the coat of arms of the Kingdom of Spain

Source: Kingdom of Spain-Coat of Arms, Wikipedia

 Spain was the early leader in exploration and colonization. Beginning with Columbus, Spain established colonies throughout Central and South America and the Caribbean. By the end of the 19th century, Spain had very few colonies -- Puerto Rico, Cuba, Guam and Philippines. However, Cuba and the Philippines were each fighting for their independence. Close Pop Up

Interactive exercise. Assistance may be required. Scroll over the text in blue below the map.

The map below is an example of the United States' plan to attack Spain and its territories.

Image of a U.S. Strategic Map used to plan the war with Spain. It illustrates the Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico borders of the Unites States; Cuba and Puerto Rico, and the Philippines.

Source: Our War with Spain, Library of Congress

Reflection: Based on the changes that you observed in the map, what happened to the Spanish colonies over time? By the 19th Century, was Spain a world leader? Why or why not? Explain your answer in your notes.