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What was the primary mission of the Spanish Army during its early existence?
What was the primary mission of the Spanish Army during its early existence?
What significant transformation occurred in the organization of the Spanish Army during the 16th century?
What significant transformation occurred in the organization of the Spanish Army during the 16th century?
Which war marked Spain's rise to military power during the late 15th century to early 16th century?
Which war marked Spain's rise to military power during the late 15th century to early 16th century?
What was one of the factors that allowed Spain to support its military endeavors during the 16th century?
What was one of the factors that allowed Spain to support its military endeavors during the 16th century?
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What was a consequence of the Spanish Army's non-payment of troops during the Thirty Years' War?
What was a consequence of the Spanish Army's non-payment of troops during the Thirty Years' War?
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What was a notable disadvantage of the tercio formation during the Thirty Years' War?
What was a notable disadvantage of the tercio formation during the Thirty Years' War?
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How did the size of the Spanish Army change from the 1470s to the 1630s?
How did the size of the Spanish Army change from the 1470s to the 1630s?
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Which battle marked a major setback for Spain during the Thirty Years' War?
Which battle marked a major setback for Spain during the Thirty Years' War?
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What was the main purpose of the Modernización del Ejército de Tierra (META) plan?
What was the main purpose of the Modernización del Ejército de Tierra (META) plan?
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Which event marked the creation of a single Ministry of Defence in Spain?
Which event marked the creation of a single Ministry of Defence in Spain?
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What was one outcome of the RETO plan implemented in 1990?
What was one outcome of the RETO plan implemented in 1990?
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Which of the following significantly decreased the personnel strength of the Spanish Army after 1989?
Which of the following significantly decreased the personnel strength of the Spanish Army after 1989?
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What did the Plan NORTE, published in 1994, primarily achieve?
What did the Plan NORTE, published in 1994, primarily achieve?
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What was the reported personnel strength of the Spanish Army in 2001?
What was the reported personnel strength of the Spanish Army in 2001?
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After the suspension of conscription, what became the primary structure of the Spanish Army?
After the suspension of conscription, what became the primary structure of the Spanish Army?
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Which command structure was established to replace the captaincies general?
Which command structure was established to replace the captaincies general?
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What characterized the Spanish Army's activities during the Francoist regime?
What characterized the Spanish Army's activities during the Francoist regime?
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What was one of the consequences of the end of the Cold War for the Spanish Army?
What was one of the consequences of the end of the Cold War for the Spanish Army?
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What significant military reform was established in Spain in 1764?
What significant military reform was established in Spain in 1764?
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During the late 18th century, what was Spain's primary military focus?
During the late 18th century, what was Spain's primary military focus?
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What was a significant consequence of the Peninsular War for the French Army?
What was a significant consequence of the Peninsular War for the French Army?
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What primarily influenced the selection of officers in the Spanish Army during the Napoleonic era?
What primarily influenced the selection of officers in the Spanish Army during the Napoleonic era?
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What did the introduction of conscription in the early 19th century achieve for the Spanish Army?
What did the introduction of conscription in the early 19th century achieve for the Spanish Army?
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What sparked the Peninsular War in 1808?
What sparked the Peninsular War in 1808?
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How did the Spanish Army manage to drive the French out of Spain by 1814?
How did the Spanish Army manage to drive the French out of Spain by 1814?
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What was a primary conflict that took place in Spain during the 19th century?
What was a primary conflict that took place in Spain during the 19th century?
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How many men composed the Spanish Army by 1920?
How many men composed the Spanish Army by 1920?
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Why did some American citizens choose to come to Spain during the Spanish Civil War?
Why did some American citizens choose to come to Spain during the Spanish Civil War?
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What was the approximate number of troops in the Francoist Army by the end of the Civil War?
What was the approximate number of troops in the Francoist Army by the end of the Civil War?
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What was the impact of the disastrous French invasion of Russia on the Spanish Army?
What was the impact of the disastrous French invasion of Russia on the Spanish Army?
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What was a notable feature of the Spanish Army's structure after the Napoleonic Wars?
What was a notable feature of the Spanish Army's structure after the Napoleonic Wars?
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What was the size of the Spanish Army reduced to in early 1940?
What was the size of the Spanish Army reduced to in early 1940?
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Which division was the only component of the German Army to be awarded a medal by Hitler?
Which division was the only component of the German Army to be awarded a medal by Hitler?
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What were the eight traditional Military Regions reestablished after the Spanish Civil War?
What were the eight traditional Military Regions reestablished after the Spanish Civil War?
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What was the official designation of the division of Spanish volunteers who fought alongside the Germans?
What was the official designation of the division of Spanish volunteers who fought alongside the Germans?
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In which year did Franco order a partial mobilization that increased the army to over 750,000 men?
In which year did Franco order a partial mobilization that increased the army to over 750,000 men?
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What significant reform did the Spanish Army adopt after receiving assistance from the United States in 1953?
What significant reform did the Spanish Army adopt after receiving assistance from the United States in 1953?
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Which of the following units was NOT mentioned as part of the Spanish Army in 1940?
Which of the following units was NOT mentioned as part of the Spanish Army in 1940?
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What was the purpose of the Immediate Intervention Forces (FII) as defined in the 1965 reforms?
What was the purpose of the Immediate Intervention Forces (FII) as defined in the 1965 reforms?
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Which country provided assistance that allowed Spain to modernize its military equipment after 1953?
Which country provided assistance that allowed Spain to modernize its military equipment after 1953?
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In what year did the General Instruction 158/107 lead to the raising of three experimental infantry divisions?
In what year did the General Instruction 158/107 lead to the raising of three experimental infantry divisions?
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What was the primary role of the Defensa Operativa del Territorio (DOT)?
What was the primary role of the Defensa Operativa del Territorio (DOT)?
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How many airmen were part of the Air Force by 1945?
How many airmen were part of the Air Force by 1945?
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What was the significance of the Blue Division in terms of its combat effectiveness?
What was the significance of the Blue Division in terms of its combat effectiveness?
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What was one of the main structural changes made to the Spanish Army in the 1965 reforms?
What was one of the main structural changes made to the Spanish Army in the 1965 reforms?
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Study Notes
Spanish Army History
- Originated in the late 15th century, during the reign of Ferdinand and Isabella.
- Continuously existed since then, initially focused on defending Iberian Peninsula, islands, and African outposts.
- Experienced significant growth in the 16th century, fueled by American resources.
- Key role in Italian Wars, transforming from pike formation to tercio infantry units.
- Fought numerous conflicts: Dutch Revolt, Ottoman raids, French civil wars, Anglo-Spanish War.
- Size grew from ~20,000 troops in 1470s to ~300,000 in 1630s.
- Faced financial challenges and mutinies.
- Participated in the Thirty Years' War, initially strong but later facing modernization from enemies.
17th - Early 20th Century
- Reorganization in the 17th century, moving away from Tercios to Regiments.
- Creation of Artillery School in 1764.
- Alliance with France in the 18th century, focusing naval power over land power.
- Officer selection based on patronage, not always merit.
- Experienced issues with poor training and promotion opportunities for common soldiers.
- Peninsular War (1808-1814): Initially occupied by Napoleon, leading to guerrilla warfare, major defeats of French forces, significant resistance.
- Loss of American colonies beginning in 1808.
- Carlist Wars (1833-1876) influenced military structure.
- Military interventions in politics, leading to "emergency" interventions into politics.
- 1920: Army size ~500,000. Ready for Spanish Civil War.
Spanish Civil War and WWII
- Spanish Civil War (1936-1939): Involved American volunteers, significant casualties.
- Nationalist (Francoist) victory. Army grew to 1,020,500. Size decrease to 250,000 in early 1940
- Neutrality in World War II, but allowed volunteers for the German army against USSR (Blue Division).
- Partial mobilization in 1942 due to WWII conflicts escalating nearer to Spanish borders.
- Second World War: 8 Army Corps, two army corps in Northern Africa, other dedicated commands.
Post WWII Reforms
- Reforms including adoption of modern equipment and organization, such as U.S. Pentomic structure.
- Further reorganization, including creation of Intervention Forces (FII) and Territorial Defence (DOT) forces.
- Reduction in conscripts, increasing professionalization to fully professional volunteer force in 2008.
- Continued reforms in 1960s and 1970s (Organization, operations); military regions; and modern weapons/vehicles.
Contemporary Army
- Modernization plan (META) in 1982-1988.
- Reduction in size and reorganization post-Cold War and decline of the Eastern Bloc.
- Continued reorganization in the 1990s (RETO, NORTE).
- Abolition of conscription in 2001.
- Current size around 75,000 and 80,000 Civil Guards.
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Description
Explore the evolution of the Spanish Army from its origins in the late 15th century through the early 20th century. This quiz covers key events, transformations, and challenges faced by the army over the centuries including major conflicts and reorganizations. Test your knowledge on the significant milestones that shaped Spain's military history.
