9.2: Creating a Christian Spain

In what ways did King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella 

impose their religious worldview on Spanish society?

Reconquista (reconquest)

     King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella were devote Catholics and were given a special title—Catholic Monarchs.

     After the Muslims lost control of the caliphate, the Christians started to push south and began to take over the area.  This was the beginning of the Reconquista.  During this time, Christians from all over Europe rallied with Spain to force the Muslims out of spain.  On January 2, 1492, the last of the land was officially Christian land.  

The Spanish Inquisition

      To unite Spain, the monarchs took control of the Spanish Inquisition.  The Spanish Inquisition was a traditionally a church run courts system where those who were not Catholic were put on trial, but soon became a state-run court.  Instead of torturing those who refused to convert, the non-catholics had a choice to convert or be exiled.  Some pretended to convert, while others hid in fear of being discovered and punished.  

Consequences of the Inquisition  

     Many Jews and Muslims fled the country.  These people were the educated middle class and the business people.  Without these people, economic growth was stagnant.  

Saving Souls

     While pushing the Muslims out, King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella realized that Muslims were spreading their religion through the Middle East and Asia.  As part of the belief that it was their religious duty, the monarch felt they had to convert as many people as they could to Catholicism.  This was pushed onto the Spanish worldview and eventually decided to support Christopher Columbus in his voyage to the new world.  

     As  expeditions organized, missionaries were sent with the explorers to help convert teach and convert any of the Indigenous people the voyagers came in contact with.