Answer:
During the Pre- Modern Era (1450-1700), Spain, along with Portugal, started to explore the world. In 1492, Christopher Columbus was supported by Isabella of Castile to explore the west side in order to search for the spice world of India and Asia even though many Europeans traveled along eastward. After, the Spanish and Portuguese found the New World. The Spanish conquistadors were able to conquer with their explorers like Francisco Pizarro and Hernan Cortes to conquest Latin and South America such as the Aztecs and the Incas. They obtained lots of gold and silver which caused inflation in their homelands. The Spanish set up sugar and other cash crop plantations and started the transatlantic slave trade. They impacted other European nations like England and France to colonize for profits as well.
Spain had absolute monarchy but was controlled by the Holy Roman Empire (Charles V) around mid-1500s. Their government was strongly tied to the church unlike most of the Protestant nations. Many talented Muslims and Jews left the country. Spain became fragile as time passed since other stronger nations began to colonize their land.