Why didn't Spain become a Great European power like Britain, France or Germany b4 WW1 begin?

Answer 1

As one respondent said, Spain was a great power at one time but peaked early and fell quick. The reason was actually quite simple -- money.

Spain may have been responsible for the first European voyages to America, but those voyages cost far more money than they ever actually returned. Columbus "discovered" a whole new world ripe for exploitation, but for all the territory conquered by the Spaniards they actually achieved very little in the way of income for Spain. Sure Columbus and others sent gold and other goods back to Spain, but never enough to fully compensate for the cost of getting to the New World and back. Thus all of Spain's resources were spent gaining territory abroad, with very little left to defend itself at home. This is why Spain ended up losing the Louisiana Territory to France, which in turn sold it to the United States. This is why the United States was able to defeat Spain so quickly in the Spanish-American War. And, the Spanish-American War left Spain with virtually no resources with which to participate in the first World War.

Answer 2

Politically Spain wasn't united like the other countries you've mentioned. Plus they were on a decline from power; assisted by the other European Powers. The last thing France, Britain, Germany, etc. needed was another World Power at their borders. Financially, Spain could not afford to maintain her colonies across the world anymore, especially after the Spanish-American War. Once Spain lost the war against the Americans, there was no way on Earth they could afford a continental battle with the World's elite forces.

Answer 3

Spain lost its last income-producing colonies in 1898. It simply had not the material resources to keep up with others you mention. Although not involved in the Great European War, Spain lacked the resources to profit from it.

Its downfall had begun with failure to hold the Hapsburg Empire together but continued into the 19th century with losses to independence movements in South and Central America, rather ironically because of its heroic stand against Napoleon.

Thinking about it, this is far too complicated to explain.

Answer 4

They were a Great European power -- they just peaked in 1650 -- long before the others you mentioned. Spain is a great country to visit today with lots of history and wonderful people who know how to live and enjoy life.

Answer 5

They only controlled half of the world at one time.

Answer 6

because they wanted to play it low
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