ABSTRACT

Historically, Spain was one of the great powers of Europe. Different kingdoms, cultures and religions (Judaism, Catholicism, and Islam) had lived together there for centuries. Columbus’ voyage to America in 1492 established Spain as the “bridge” between Latin America and Europe. Through the 18th and 19th centuries, Spain underwent many political changes and

gradually lost power at the international level. The Catholic Church has been a very powerful force and it continues to be the main religion of Spain. Each of the two main political parties represents almost half of the Spanish population. To understand contemporary Spain it is necessary to know its 20th-century history. The Spanish Civil War, the 40 years of dictatorship that followed, and the social, political, and legal efforts to establish democracy in the last two decades of the 20th century, have shaped modern Spain and its efforts to end violence against children.