key term - Sephardic Jews

Definition

Sephardic Jews are a Jewish ethnic group originating from the Iberian Peninsula, specifically Spain and Portugal, who were expelled during the Spanish Inquisition in the late 15th century. Their experiences illustrate the complex interplay of class and race, as they navigated social hierarchies and religious discrimination in their new homes across Europe, North Africa, and the Ottoman Empire.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Sephardic Jews played a significant role in the development of trade networks between Europe, North Africa, and the Middle East after their expulsion from Spain.
2. After leaving the Iberian Peninsula, many Sephardic Jews settled in places like the Ottoman Empire, where they were generally welcomed and allowed to practice their religion freely.
3. The cultural legacy of Sephardic Jews includes a rich tradition of music, literature, and cuisine that reflects their diverse experiences across different regions.
4. Sephardic Jews often faced social hierarchies that placed them below Christians but above other marginalized groups, influencing their economic opportunities.
5. The Sephardic diaspora led to the establishment of unique communities with distinct customs, languages (such as Ladino), and religious practices that differed from Ashkenazi traditions.

Review Questions

• How did the expulsion of Sephardic Jews during the Spanish Inquisition affect their social standing and economic roles in the regions they migrated to?
  • The expulsion of Sephardic Jews significantly impacted their social standing as they often found themselves in lower positions within new societies due to existing prejudices. However, they also brought valuable skills in trade and finance that allowed them to carve out niches in commerce and diplomacy. In some regions, such as the Ottoman Empire, they were able to rise to prominence due to their expertise and established connections from prior trade networks.
• Evaluate the cultural contributions of Sephardic Jews to the societies they integrated into after their expulsion from Spain.
  • Sephardic Jews made significant cultural contributions that enriched the societies they joined post-expulsion. They brought with them unique traditions, including music, cuisine, and literature, which blended with local cultures. The use of Ladino, a Judeo-Spanish language, also reflected their heritage while influencing linguistic diversity in areas where they settled. These contributions helped foster multicultural interactions and understanding in places like the Ottoman Empire and North Africa.
• Assess the long-term impact of Sephardic Jewish migration on global trade networks from 1450 to 1750 and how these changes shaped economic relations across continents.
  • The migration of Sephardic Jews after their expulsion from Spain had a lasting impact on global trade networks during this period. They established crucial trade links between Europe, North Africa, and the Middle East, facilitating the exchange of goods such as textiles, spices, and precious metals. Their expertise in commerce not only enhanced economic relations between these regions but also contributed to the early foundations of global capitalism. This interconnectedness laid groundwork for future economic systems and patterns of migration.

Related terms

Spanish Inquisition: A religious tribunal established in 1478 to maintain Catholic orthodoxy in Spain, leading to the persecution and expulsion of many Jews.

Ashkenazi Jews:

A Jewish ethnic group that originated in Central and Eastern Europe, often contrasted with Sephardic Jews in terms of cultural practices and historical experiences.

Conversos: Jews who converted to Christianity, often under duress during the Inquisition, many of whom maintained Jewish practices in secret.