Territorial Evolution of the Iberian Peninsula in the 15th Century

Tema 11: Territorial Evolution of the Peninsula

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1.1 Causes of Territorial Evolution

The principal causes of territorial evolution included the following:

• Population growth: By the end of the century the population of the peninsula exceeded seven million inhabitants; Castile protracted millions, reaching almost 6 million people.
• Union of Castile and Aragon: The great extent of these kingdoms, the increasing number of their possessions and the importance of their economic resources were the foundation for obtaining a global power without precedent in European history.
• Navarre: Navarre was won in the early sixteenth century.
• Consolidation of Portugal: Its agreements with Castile allowed the recovery of its economy, which favored the exploration of sea routes to India.
• Triumph of the authoritarian monarchy: After major clashes with an avid nobility of power and privilege, the monarchy eventually established a strong authoritarian regime.
• Conquest of the Nasrid kingdom of Granada: The conquest ended eight centuries of Muslim rule in the Peninsula.
• Discovery of America: The discovery provided a new vision of the world and opened Atlantic trade routes that challenged the Mediterranean's economic primacy.

1.4 The Shift to Atlantic Trade and the Union of Crowns

The Mediterranean lost relative economic importance to Atlantic trade routes. Some historians indicate that 1479 marks the moment of the dynastic union of Aragon with the kingdom of Castile as a root moment.

Isabella was proclaimed Queen of Castile in 1469; by then Ferdinand was already married to her, and he inherited the throne of Aragon in 1479.

Civil Conflict and the Treaty of Alcáçovas

Within their realms civil war had taken place; peace was signed with Alfonso V in the Treaty of Alcáçovas with Portugal, by which Prince John lost his claim to the Castilian throne.

Political Centralization

• Subjugation of the nobility: The nobility retained much of their income, but dissidents were persecuted.
• Control of military orders: The Crown increased oversight of military orders.
• Popular support: The monarchy obtained popular backing against aristocratic privileges.

2.2 Factors Prolonging Political Stability

The following elements contributed to the prolongation and consolidation of royal power:

• Delineation of borders: Borders coincided with features such as the Subeta mountain range, with castles allowing monitoring of frontier passages.
• Diplomatic skill: Alliances combined war, intrigue and negotiation.
• Vassalage and payments: The system of vassalage and financial arrangements secured loyalties.
• Military and demographic factors: Armed forces and population dynamics supported the Crown's authority.

3.3 The Persistence of Mudejar Art and Architecture

Mudejar persistence: Mudejar architecture retained many Roman construction techniques and materials while adapting Gothic forms. A notable example is the cloister of the Monastery of Guadalupe, attributed to Fray Juan de Sevilla.

Notes: The text preserves original numbered sections (1.1, 1.4, 2.2, 3.3) and corrects spelling and grammar, adjusts capitalization, and clarifies phrasing while keeping the original content and facts intact.