History: Upper-intermediate Spanish vocabulary

17 Spanish words about history at upper-intermediate level. Each entry links to the full meaning, a real example sentence, and usage notes written for English speakers.

• tributonountribute — an act or gift showing respect and admiration; historically a payment exacted by a ruler
• fundarverbto found, to establish
• travesianounvoyage, crossing — a long journey by sea or through difficult terrain; a significant undertaking
• civilizaciónnouncivilisation, society
• legadonounlegacy, heritage
• eranounera, age — a long and distinct historical or cultural period
• evoluciónnounevolution, development
• exilionounexile — forced or voluntary long-term absence from one's homeland, especially for political reasons
• góticoadjectiverelating to a European architectural and artistic style from the 12th to 16th centuries, or to related later cultural styles
• dictadornouna ruler with total, unchecked power over a country; typically seized or maintained by force
• comunismonouna political and economic system based on collective ownership of property and the means of production
• herencianounheritage, inheritance — cultural legacy or biological/legal inheritance
• reconstruirverbto reconstruct, to rebuild
• reinarverbto reign; to prevail
• origennounorigin — the point or place of beginning; one's background or ancestry
• períodonounperiod — a length of time; a distinct stage in a sequence of events
• pioneronounpioneer, trailblazer — a person who is first to open up a new field of research or activity