Spanish Inquisition Research Paper

What is an inquisition? Technically, it means a religious court or tribunal to determine to future of heretics and offenders to the church. In the late 15th century, an inquisition meant much more the words it's defined by. Many inquisitions were held during the Dark Ages of Europe to protect the almighty Catholic Church from naysayers and nonbelievers. However, there was one inquisition during this time period that was more than a trial. The Spanish Inquisition was the engine of the machine that was the Spanish Empire. It began with the marriage of King Ferdinand II and Queen Isabella. These two royalties united the two Catholic kingdoms of Castile and Aragon. While the persecution of Jews and Muslims may have resulted in thousands of deaths,

The idea of the reconquering the land the once inhabited floated around Christian clergy for some time. Finally, the unification of the kingdoms Castile and Aragon was final ingredient to the recipe of destruction. The monarchy created something for Spaniards to support to feel like one nation. The only thing now that was standing in the way to reconquest of Spain were the Moors of Granada and the many Jews and Protestants in hiding. Anti-Semitism had not impacted Spanish Jews as much; generally allowing them to live quiet lives in secret. The Spanish Inquisition, in 1478, was established with an inquisitor, or overseer, heading the operations. As it became apparent the Inquisition was evolving into something bigger than anyone would have interpreted, Pope Sixtus IV attempted to impede its progress to no avail. If the highest power if the Catholic Church couldn't control the true power of its inquisition, then nothing would stop

While most of the people living in 15th century Spain struggled financially, the small population that had money was the Jewish population. The church disguised their true motives by explaining to the people. The Christians persecuting and executing the Jews believed they were saving them from their doom. Since they had already committed the most hateful sin in the Christians eyes by practicing another religion, the only way to save their lives from going to the underworld was dying at the hands of Gods children. The government seized their lost property and their riches were used to stabilize the country’s economy. Eventually, this would prove vital to the survival and unification of the country. Lastly, if the inquisition did anything to the Spaniards, it united them under the Catholic religion to rid heretics from their land. It aligned all the people in Spain in the same religion and political ideology. In 1478, King Ferdinand II and Queen Isabella asked for the Pope’s permission to begin the inquisition. This first major decision by the Catholic Monarchy would set in place change that everyone agreed on. The conquering of the Moors in Granada certainly was its most valuable accomplishment. Modern day Spain may be completely different if Catholics don’t reconquer