How and why did Spanish spread across an ocean to be used by over 500 million people? Think conquistadors, empires, etc.

Answer 1

The Spanish empire spread at the end of the Middle Ages and especially during the beginning of the Renaissance (what is commonly known as the Siglo de Oro or Golden Age in Spanish literature and history). Navigation was developing at a rapid pace thanks to advances in the sciences by countries such as Portugal. Spain was a country with very little unused and un-owned land, and quite a lot of people. People belonging to the emerging middle class wanted land, but there was little to be found. Inherited estates and nobility owned most of the land. Additionally, the natural resources of Spain were depleted. Speaking of depletion, internal strife and wars with other countries also emptied the coffers of the wealthy. In short, people of all classes were looking for money, natural resources, land, and opportunity. Those more prone to religion were also seeking to expand their religious beliefs. This is just the background information, but...think of all the people of Spain who wanted an opportunity to better their lives and the lives of their families. They wanted to increase their wealth, spread their religion, and seek out new opportunities in a new land. The old country presented very little opportunity to grow and change. So...boats were bought, lands explored and conquered. Gold, silver, timber, new fruits and vegetables, chocolate, coffee, spices, slaves...all these "commodities" were brought back from the so-called New World. And during that time, the Spanish had to make contact with the native peoples. They used them as guides, they befriended them, they fought against them. And some chose to stay. Spanish slowly became the lingua-franca and remains so to this day.