6. The Kingdom of Spain (17th Century)
In the 17th century, Spain, with its vast overseas holdings and immense wealth, was once a superpower. However, repeated military defeats, economic crises, and the loss of its colonies saw its dominance wane dramatically. For a detailed analysis of Spain’s decline during this period, refer to the article “Aristocratic Draft-Dodgers in 17th-Century Spain” in historytoday.com.



