SWS-Galicia/History Flashcards
Where is Green Spain located?
- along Atlantic coast from NW Spain to western end of Pyrenees
What are the autonomous regions in Green Spain?
- Galicia
- Cantabria
- Asturius
- País Vasco
Who first settled Galicia? When?
Celts migrated there in 6th century
Who invaded after the Celts? When?
Romans invaded in 137 BCE
What were the Romans interested in?
- gold and minerals
- lost interest when mines became unproductive after 100 years
What did Roman occupation bring?
- new technology
- trade partners
- language
- introduced foreign vines
- better knowledge of viticulture
Who took over Galicia after the Romans?
- Suebi took over around 410
- decline of Roman Empire in early 5th century
Who invaded after the Suebi?
Visigoths took control in 585
Who invaded after the Visigoths?
Muslims invaded Spain in 711, but they never gained control over Galicia
What is the capital of Galicia?
Santiago de Compostal
Why was Santiago de Compostal historically important?
- last city on the Camino de Santiago (Way of St. James) pilgrimage route
- Christians held city during Reconquista
What was the Reconquista?
Christian reconquest of Iberian peninsula (722–1492)
Who controlled Galicia during the 14-15th centuries?
- local knights, counts and bishops
- Spanish aristocracy had prior control
Who controlled Galicia in the late 15th century?
Isbella I established Castilian monarchy in the region
How did Galicia benefit from Christopher Columbus’ explorations?
started exporting wine
What is vino tostado?
- naturally sweet wine made from sun-dried grapes in Ribeiro (Galicia’s center of wine production)
- known as Tostado do Ribeiro
- consumed by pilgrims on way to Santiago de Compostela
What was effect of Tostado do Ribeiro?
- exported in large amounts to England during 17-18th centuries
- led to planting craze; agricultural land converted to vines
What were the causes of vineyard decline?
- Tostado do Ribeiro fell out of fashion; merchants turned toward northern Portuguese red wines
- mildew and phylloxera hit vineyards
- low-quality hybrid vines and non-traditional varieties planted in early 20th century
- led to identity crisis
What was effect of Spanish Civil War (1936-39)?
- Galicia lost autonomous status
- spared worst of fighting since it was one of areas where coup attempt successful
- General Franco was Galician, but still surpasses Galician language
What was effect of Franco’s death?
- used in new era and democracy in 1981
- regained autonomous status
How was the region revived in the 1980s?
- winemakers started making quality wine from local grapes (Albariño, Mencía and Godello)
- regional authorities restricted use of foreign varieties
- Spain’s EU entry in 1986 brought investment into region’s wine industry
