Bourgeoisie Rise, Monarchy Strength & Territorial Expansion

The Rise of the Bourgeoisie

The growth of trade and manufacturing activities led to the accumulation of huge profits in the hands of the bourgeoisie. Some families of traders and bankers became greatly enriched.

The economic power of the bourgeoisie was not based on ownership of land, as with the nobility, but on the possession of capital, which they invested in productive activities.

This era saw the emergence of the first companies, marking the beginning of capitalism and trade that developed in towns linked to maritime trade.

The Strengthening of the Monarchy

In the fifteenth century, the power of the monarchy, previously limited by the nobility and bourgeois cities, began to consolidate. Several European kings sought to impose their authority on their subjects, leading to a new organizational model: the authoritarian monarchy.

Territorial Expansion

The Catholic Monarchs aimed to unite all territories under their peninsular crown.

Conquest of Granada

After a war that lasted for 10 years (1482-1492), they conquered the Nazari Kingdom of Granada, the last Muslim stronghold on the peninsula.

The war was marked by the military dominance of the Catholic Monarchs and internal disagreements within the Muslim kingdom. The Nazari monarch, Boabdil, surrendered and ceded the city to the victors.

Incorporation of Navarre

The Kingdom of Navarre, allied with France, was invaded by a Spanish army. Finally, in 1515, it was incorporated into Spain, but retained its laws and institutions.

Marriage Alliances with Portugal

The Catholic Monarchs developed a policy of marriage alliances with Portugal. Two of their daughters, Helen and Mary, were successively married to the Portuguese monarch. These links proved fruitful years later when Philip II inherited the Kingdom of Portugal and united the crowns.

Foreign Policy

The Catholic Monarchs oriented international politics in two main directions.

Mediterranean Engagement

Firstly, they continued engagement in the traditional Mediterranean sphere of the Crown of Aragon. In 1505, they conquered the Kingdom of Naples, encompassing all of Southern Italy, after a war with France. This aimed to curb France's expansionist ambitions in an area traditionally linked to the Crown of Aragon.

Atlantic Expansion

Secondly, they oriented towards the Atlantic and established the foundations for the future Spanish Empire. Atlantic expansion began with the assertion of sovereignty over the Canary Islands (1496), which had been conquered through several previous expeditions (1482-1493).