The Spanish Flashcards
Geography controls everything
Italy is in the middle of the Mediterranean and towards the east
Trade relationships go between Italy and the far east
Very important in the age of exploration
Al Andalus
Beginning of the middle ages almost everyone in Spain was christian
In 711 muslims crosssed the Strait of Gibraltar and landed in Spain
Many were converted to islam
Caliphate
An area controlled by n islamic ruler (Caliph)
What would muslim rulers support?
Arts
Music
Architecture
Learning in islamic Spain
Greatly valued to understand the universe and aid living an ethical life
Greatly admired ancient Greeks for their reasoning skills
Cordoba, Seville, Granada were centres of learning
Reconquista
Means reconquer
The christian reconquest of Spain from the muslims for 780 years (711 to 1492)
Spanish war tactics
Grouped large number of soldiers using the same weapons in tight formations
Spanish infantry became the deadliest in Europe
They took this very effective style of fighting to the Americas
Creating Christian Spain
Many christian forces in Europe helped Spain
By 1269 only Granada was in muslim control
In 1492 Granada was captured Spain was fully christian controlled
Catholic monarchs
The pope gave Queen Isabella and king Ferdinand special titles
The Spanish Inquisition
A state run system of courts in Spain where non catholics were put on trial
How did Spain deal with the non catholics after the Reconquista?
They had 2 choices
Convert to catholicism or be exiled from the country
Some muslims and jews left some pretended to convert
They lived in constant feat that they would be caught and punished
150 000 people were charged and 3000 were executed
Expulsion of the Jews
Also known as the Alhambra decree
Had the option to be baptized or exiled
100 00 to 250 000 Jews left Spain
What was the the effects of the expulsion of Jews?
Both the Jews and muslims had formed the large part of the educated middle class
Because of this Spain struggled economically at the end of the 1400’s
What was good and silver used for?
Buying natural resources they lacked
Paying for wars (feed soldiers, train new recruits, etc.)
Buying ships to conquer other nations
Why did Spain use up all their gold and silver?
In 1492 they were in a tough situation
The reconquista had left Spain without the precious metals they needed
Christopher Columbus
Spain hoped he would bring back gold and silver for the Spanish economy
He only brought back a small amount of gold
He still convinced the Catholic Monarchs that there was more to find
Spain’s desire for greater wealth motivated their conquest of many areas in North and South America
How did nobles make money?
Paid for fighting for their king (war)
Gave the king portions of their crops that the peasants who farmed the land produced (land)
Hidalgos
The sons of the poor nobles
What happened to the Hidalgos after the Reconquista?
There was a shortage of farmland in Spain
Because of their social class they thought it would be shameful to work in shops or farms
They became involved in trade buisness or commerce
Go to the Americas to find their fortunes
Why did Spain want to conquer other lands?
Gold: money
God: spreading christianity
Glory: wanted respect in society
Code of Chivalry: medieval knightly system
The code of chivalry
Spanish greatly valued service in the military
Stories of chivalry was popular to share with children’
Stories inspired the young to go to the battlefield
The best chance to be a hero was to go to the Americas
This made many people volunteer to go to the New World
How did the knights demonstrate chivalry in their stories?
Achieving military victories
Being loyal and brave
Being fair and honest
Having excellent manners
Being devout christian’s
Protecting the weak
