Foreign Policy under Ferdinand and Isabella Flashcards
What were Aragon’s main four aims/ concerns in foreign policy?
- concerned about French threat on the northern frontier
- want to protect their possessions in the Mediterranean
- want to regain Roussillon and Cerdagne from the French
- challenge French interests in Navarre
What are the names of Aragon’s possessions in the Med?
Sicily and Sardinia
Where are Roussillon and Cerdagne?
Northern Catalonia
Who are the main threats to Aragon’s possessions in the Med?
The Turks
In contrast to Aragon, what kind of policy does Castile have towards France?
A friendly one
What has always been the main concern of Castile?
Granada
As a secondary concern, who else are Castile concerned about?
Portugal on the southern frontier
Why does Ferdinand take lead in foreign policy for Castile and Aragon?
- he has more extensive knowledge and interests as a result of Aragon’s possessions in the Med
- this means he has had more contact with other European countries
Why doesn’t Aragon become the priority in foreign policy?
It lacks the manpower and finances that Castile can provide
Regarding foreign policy in particular, why were both regions concerned about the advancement of the followers of Islam?
- for Aragon, they posed a threat to the possessions in the Med
- for Castile, it was only the Strait of Gibraltar that separated recently reconquered Granada from the Muslims of North Africa
At what point were relations with Portugal at their worst and why?
- in the War of Succession because they supported Isabella’s opposition
What was the main source of conflict with Portugal?
The Canary Islands
In 1479 the Treaty of Alcacovas was signed, what did this agree?
- that Isabella was the rightful claimant to the Castilian throne
- that Portugal would give up their claim to the Canary Islands
- that Castile has to accept that Portugal gets the monopoly of trade on the coast of West Africa
In the late 1490s, the major islands of the Canaries were conquered, why were they so important?
- they provided an important stopping point for ships on the way to the New World
To cement the new peace with Portugal, who married who?
Isabella of Spain married Alfonso of Portugal
Once Alfonso of Portugal died, who did Isabella marry?
Emmanuel I
Once Isabella died, who did Emmanuel I marry?
Maria (Isabella’s sister)
Why was Navarre so important?
It would have been a strong point to invade from if France controlled it
Which year did Ferdinand finally have the resources and opportunity to launch an attack on Navarre?
1512
What contributed to Ferdinand’s opportunity to invade Navarre? (during the unrest in Aragon after Isabella’s death, Navarre had decided to challenge for independence)
- the disputed succession of Navarre’s crown between Germaine de Foix (Ferdinand’s second wife) and French-supported Albret family
