The Rise of Authoritarian Monarchy in Spain: Unification, Expansion, and Religious Control

Political Changes in Europe

England

A civil war for the throne, known as the War of the Roses, raged between the Houses of York and Lancaster. The monarchy grew stronger during the reign of Henry VIII.

Spain

The Catholic Monarchs, Isabella I of Castile and Ferdinand II of Aragon, unified all of the Iberian Peninsula except for Portugal.

Characteristics of Authoritarian Monarchy

• National Territory: Considered the patrimony of the royal family.
• Bureaucracy: Managed by civil servants who controlled the territory.
• Permanent Court: Ended the tradition of traveling courts from the Middle Ages.
• Permanent Army: Established a standing army.
• Diplomatic Service: Utilized ambassadors for international relations.
• Taxation System: Implemented a system for collecting taxes.

Dynastic Union and Expansion

The marriage of Isabella I of Castile and Ferdinand II of Aragon united the two crowns, but each kingdom maintained its own laws, institutions, borders, and currency.

Territorial Expansion in the Iberian Peninsula

Granada

The Nasrid Kingdom of Granada was embroiled in a civil war. After a decade of conflict, King Boabdil surrendered in 1492, marking the end of the Reconquista.

Navarra

In 1512, King Ferdinand invaded the Kingdom of Navarra and annexed it to Castile, while still preserving its existing laws and institutions.

Portugal

The Catholic Monarchs established connections with the Portuguese monarchy through strategic royal marriages.

Foreign Policies

• Marriage Policy: Aimed to isolate France by forming alliances with Portugal, Flanders, and England.
• International Expansion:
  • Atlantic: Sought to control trade routes and complete the occupation of the Canary Islands.
  • Mediterranean: Gonzalo Fernández de Córdoba, known as the Great Captain, successfully defeated the French in Italy and regained the counties of Roussillon and Cerdagne.
  • North Africa: Acquired coastal areas such as Melilla.

The New Authoritarian Monarchy in Spain

The Catholic Monarchs consolidated their authority over the nobility, clergy, and municipalities.

• The Councils: Composed of lawyers and officials who advised the monarchs. Key councils included the Council of Castile, the Council of Aragon, and the Council of War. Royal secretaries served as close advisors and liaisons between the councils.
• The Cortes: Represented the nobility, church, and bourgeoisie. The Catholic Monarchs aimed to gain the support of the Cortes while diminishing their power.
• The Court of Justice: The Royal Audiencia or Chancilleria ensured justice. A central tax office, called the Contaduría Real de Hacienda, was established.
• Viceroys: Represented the King and Queen in the kingdoms of the crown.
• The Permanent Army: Consisted of professional soldiers. The Santa Hermandad maintained social order and prosecuted criminals.
• Control over Military Orders: Ferdinand II became the Grand Master of the military orders.

Religious Unity

• The Inquisition: Established to eliminate heresy and prosecute those who deviated from Catholicism.
• Capitulaciones de Granada: Initially allowed Muslims to practice their religion. However, Cardinal Cisneros later imposed Christianity on the Muslim population. While some left the peninsula, most Muslims chose baptism and became known as Moriscos.
• Expulsion of the Jews: Jews were expelled from Spain. Those who converted to Christianity were called Conversos.

European Expansion

• Trade Routes: The Ottoman Turks' conquest of Constantinople blocked traditional trade routes to the Orient, necessitating the search for alternative routes.
• Expansion Policies: Portugal and Spain competed to expand their territories.
• Technical Advances: Advancements in nautical instruments, such as the compass, rudder, and astrolabe, facilitated exploration and expansion.