Catholic Monarchs: Inquisition, Expansion, Spanish Unity

To save their lives, many Jews converted to Christianity but became hated by the common people, the aristocracy, and the Church.

The Spanish Inquisition & Religious Policy

Establishment of the Inquisition

In the early years of their reign, the Catholic Monarchs had a tolerant attitude towards the Jews. However, many converts reportedly returned to Judaism. This belief was the main inspiration behind the establishment of the Council of the Supreme and General Inquisition (Holy Office). It was a religious court that persecuted crimes against the Christian faith. The main Inquisitor was the convert Fray Tomás de Torquemada. His mission was to preserve the purity of the faith. The inquisitorial trial was called an Auto da Fé and was held in public. Crimes, with sentences ranging from flogging to death, led to the accused being paraded in special garments (sambenitos) with their crimes written on them. These sentences were passed on to their children and grandchildren, with inscriptions and sambenitos hung in the cloisters of churches.

Repression of Jews and Moors

The Inquisition persecuted only the baptized. Initially, Jews and Moors continued to practice their religions. The Edict of Expulsion of the Jews was issued on March 31, 1492. They were given four months to sell their goods and convert them into bills of exchange. The Moriscos of Granada (Arabs who remained in the territory) were to be baptized into the Christian faith. Respect for their religion and customs was initially promised, and Fray Hernando de Talavera was responsible for their gradual conversion. However, from 1499, Cardinal Cisneros took a more forceful approach.

Royal Intervention in the Catholic Church

Clergy Reform under the Catholic Monarchs

The Catholic Monarchs sought to harness the power of the Church to prevent it from becoming a danger to the State. Their concern for the purity of the Catholic faith also led them to undertake a thorough reform of the clergy. Cardinal Cisneros was instrumental in this effort.

Royal Patronage and Bishop Appointments

The Catholic Monarchs aimed to control the appointment of bishops. In 1486, they obtained royal patronage (patronato real) for the Kingdom of Granada, and in 1508, for America.

Economy and Society in Castile and Aragon

Demographics During Their Reign

At the beginning of their reign, Castile had a population of about 5 million inhabitants, and Aragon had about 850,000. Over the approximately 40 years of the Catholic Monarchs' rule, the population seems to have decreased, perhaps partly due to the expulsions and migrations of Jews.

Social Structure and Nobility

Their reign did not change the existing feudal social organization. The Catholic Monarchs perpetuated the established social order and even increased the social and economic power of the nobility through:

• Granting new territories in Granada.
• Establishing the mayorazgo (entail) by law (Laws of Toro, 1505).
• The Laws of Cordoba in 1492, which set the evidence required for access to nobility.
• Issuing new noble titles.

The feudal system was maintained. The situation of the population in the cities did not significantly change.

Economic Landscape: Agriculture and Trade

In Castile, agriculture often remained stagnant, frequently forcing the importation of wheat from Sicily. Livestock breeding, particularly in Andalusia, remained a key Castilian asset. Burgos became a major commercial center linked to the wool trade. Seville was favored by the monopoly of trade with America, and the House of Trade (Casa de Contratación) was established there in 1503.

International Politics of the Catholic Monarchs

Ferdinand's Diplomacy and European Power

Ferdinand, often seen as a model for Machiavelli's Prince, directed the foreign policy of both Castile and Aragon. He aimed to make the Hispanic monarchy a great European power. The traditional rivalry of Aragon with France was now utilized by both Isabella and Ferdinand, leading them to abandon Castile's previous alliance with France.

The Struggle with France: Italian Wars

To retrieve Roussillon and Cerdanya, they formed a league with England and the Papacy, leading to the Italian Wars.

Castilian Expansion into the Americas

Castile began an Atlantic expansion to control trade routes to the Sudan and the West African coast, where its interests would clash with those of Portugal. This expansion led to the incorporation of America into Castile.