Iberian Power: Late Middle Ages Crisis and Expansion

The Crisis of the Late Middle Ages

The 14th and 15th centuries were characterized by a deep crisis in Aragon and Castile. There was a significant decline in population caused by increased mortality; Aragon lost one-third of its population, while Castile lost one-fifth. The primary causes were famines and epidemics. Economic activity declined due to the depletion of land and a lack of manpower, which encouraged nomadic livestock development. Peasants engaged in struggles of resistance against the abuses of the nobles, who pressured the king for more privileges, leading to civil wars. Castile saw the reigns of Pedro the Cruel, Juan II, Henry IV, and Isabella the Catholic, while Aragon was ruled by Juan II and Ferdinand. The arrival of the Catholic Monarchs (RRCC) marked the end of the crisis.

Expansion of the Crown of Aragon

The expansion of the Crown of Aragon began in the 13th century after completing the occupation of the peninsula. After conquering the Balearics, the kings of Aragon decided to continue their expansion throughout the Mediterranean. The Almogavars, led by Roger de Flor, conquered Sicily in the 14th century. This success led the Emperor of Byzantium to hire them to defend the borders of his empire against the Ottoman Turks. An incident caused these troops to break their commitments to the emperor, leading them to seize Athens and Neopatria. Favorable circumstances allowed Aragon to acquire Sardinia and Naples. This demanded significant military and economic resources, forcing kings to seek support from the estates in exchange for privileges. A collateral effect was the outbreak of the Wars of Italy against France, which also sought to conquer the territory.

Atlantic Routes and the Race to the Indies

The geographical positions of Castile and Portugal oriented their territorial expansion into the Atlantic. In Portugal, Henry the Navigator conquered Ceuta, the Azores, and Madeira. These territories provided a strategic starting point for Portuguese attempts to reach India by bordering Africa. The opening of this route became more urgent after the Turks conquered Constantinople, hindering traditional European trade with the Indies. The Castilians won control of the Strait of Gibraltar. Juan de Bethencourt began the conquest of the Canary Islands, which was finalized during the reign of the Catholic Monarchs. Portugal considered itself the leader of Atlantic shipping routes and viewed Castile as a feared competitor in the "race to the Indies." The conflict over the Canary Islands was eventually settled by the Treaty of Alcaçovas, confirming Castilian dominion over the islands in exchange for surrendering African territories.