Reconquista

Definition

The Reconquista refers to the centuries-long campaign by Christian kingdoms in the Iberian Peninsula to reclaim territory from Muslim rule, culminating in the fall of Granada in 1492. This historical period significantly influenced cultural, religious, and political landscapes in Spain and set the stage for Spain's emergence as a global power, especially during the Age of Exploration.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. The Reconquista began in 711 AD when Muslim forces invaded the Iberian Peninsula and established Al-Andalus, marking the start of centuries of conflict between Muslims and Christians.
2. The Kingdom of Castile played a significant role in the Reconquista, contributing to major victories against Muslim forces, including the capture of Toledo in 1085.
3. The fall of Granada on January 2, 1492, marked the end of the Reconquista and led to the establishment of a unified Spanish kingdom under Catholic Monarchs Ferdinand and Isabella.
4. The Reconquista not only resulted in territorial gains but also had profound cultural implications, leading to increased religious persecution and the establishment of the Spanish Inquisition.
5. Following the Reconquista, Spain shifted its focus to exploration and colonization, driven by newfound confidence and wealth from newly acquired territories.

Review Questions

• How did the Reconquista shape the political landscape of Spain during and after its completion?
  • The Reconquista significantly altered Spain's political landscape by uniting various Christian kingdoms under the rule of Ferdinand and Isabella after their conquest of Granada in 1492. This unification laid the foundation for a centralized Spanish monarchy that would pursue a global empire. The end of Muslim rule also shifted resources and military focus towards overseas exploration, marking a transformative moment in Spanish history.
• Discuss the impact of the Reconquista on cultural and religious dynamics within Spain.
  • The Reconquista had profound effects on cultural and religious dynamics within Spain, leading to heightened tensions between Christians and Muslims. Following their victory, Ferdinand and Isabella instituted policies that promoted religious homogeneity through mechanisms like the Spanish Inquisition. This period saw increased persecution of Jews and Muslims, resulting in mass conversions or expulsions, which forever altered Spain’s multicultural identity.
• Evaluate how the completion of the Reconquista influenced Spain's subsequent role in global exploration and colonization.
  • The completion of the Reconquista in 1492 instilled a sense of religious zeal and national pride among Spaniards, which directly fueled their ambitions for exploration. With their focus shifted from internal conflicts to external expansion, Spain became a formidable colonial power. This newfound confidence led to voyages by explorers like Christopher Columbus, ultimately establishing vast overseas colonies and marking Spain’s entry into global imperialism, shaping world history for centuries to come.

Related terms

Iberian Peninsula: The southwestern European peninsula that includes Spain and Portugal, which was the primary battleground during the Reconquista.

Catholic Monarchs: The title given to King Ferdinand II of Aragon and Queen Isabella I of Castile, who completed the Reconquista and united Spain under a single monarchy.

Al-Andalus:

The name given to the Muslim-ruled territories in the Iberian Peninsula, which were established after the Umayyad conquest in the early 8th century.