2 Beta Questions - Renaissance

Question 1

Describe the Spanish Inquisition and explain the cultural and social impact. Then explain what we might be able to learn from the Spanish inquisition.

Answer 1

Spanish Inquisition:
- At the time Spain had a lot of diversity
- Rulers wanted everyone to follow the same religion (Christianity)
- → They thought it would make their kingdom stronger
- Jews and Muslims were forced to convert to Christianity or leave
- They thought those who converted were secretly practicing their other religion
- Held courts where they accused people of they thought weren’t “truly” Christian
- Accused didn’t know who accused them and couldn’t defend themselves in court
- Guilty would be exiled or executed

Social and Cultural Impact:
- Social Control: Strict religious conformity
- Censorship: Controlling the publication and distribution of books
- Economic impact: expulsions of wealthy Jews and Muslims
- → Loss of skilled Artisans and Merchants
- Population Impact: If you weren’t Christian, then you weren’t Spanish

Question 2

Of the 5 people (Hobbes, Locke, Voltaire, Rousseau, Montesqieu), which one had the greatest impact on your community?

Answer 2

Of the 5 people, Voltaire had the most impact on my community by allowing us to expand our knowledge in school. We know this because of the way he enforced the separation of church and state, this means that we could learn without the concern of religion.