The History of Spain
explanatory Essay
1404 words
The History of Spain
Spain's history can be traced back as far as 3000BC, where Paleolithic cave paintings were found in the region of the Bay of Biscay and the western Pyrenees. These paintings exhibited a remarkable degree of animation and skill. About 1000BC the southern region became the first invasion point for the Iberians, Iberians were originally North African people who became the most prominent ethnologic element in the peninsula and gave its name. The Celts, who migrated from France, also invaded the peninsula and completely absorbed the central region and the northern mountains. Together these two groups form the Celtiberians. Around the 11th century BC the first Mediterranean seafaring people called the Phoenicians colonized in what now is Cadiz. Somewhat later traders from Rhodes and the Greek cities followed. They established colonies also along the Mediterranean coast. In the later part of the 3rd century BC the African State of Carthage, began to exploit the Peninsula. Under the Carthaginian General Hamilcar, a large part of peninsula was conquered in a campaign in from 237BC to 228 BC. That part of the peninsula is now known as Barcelona. This expansion was viewed unfavorable by the Romans and in 219 BC, after violating a Carthage-Rome agreement limiting Carthaginian territory, General Hannibal; destroyed the Greek colony of Saguntum, and started the second Punic war. Around 206 BC the Carthage was forced to evacuate the Peninsula, and nine years later Rome divided the peninsula into two provinces. The Hispanic Citerior, in the valley of the Ebro River and the Hispanic Ulterior, in the plain penetrated by the Guadalquivir River. Under the Romans, Hispania took its final form as three provinces: Lus...
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...oyal festivals and held as many as 50,000 spectators The Plaza de la Villa marks what was once old Madrid; here you can see stunning artwork and brilliant architecture. The Plaza de Oriente holds a fascinating story. The statues that surround the Plaza were actually built for the palace roof, but they were to heavy. The Plaza de las Ventas holds the largest bullfighting ring in Spain. The Plaza de Espana is one Madrid's most popular meeting place. The square obtained its' appearance during the Franco period. In Segovia you can find the Plaza Mayor, Which is located near the Alcazar. In the city of Toledo, you find the Plaza de Zocodover. It is located in the middle of town and and is known the ancient horse fairs. Sevilla is the home of the following Plaza's; Plaza de Santa Cruz, Plaza de Espana, Plaza Dona Elvira, and Plaza de Toros de la Real Maestranza.
In this essay, the author
- Explains that spain's history can be traced back as far as 3000bc, where paleolithic cave paintings were found in the region of the bay of biscay and the western pyrenees.
- Explains how teutonic invaders crossed the pyrenees, alan, vandals, and suevi swept over the peninsula. the visigoths brought their armies in and became the dominant power.
- Describes how muslim armies invaded the iberian peninsula under the leadership of tariq-lbn-ziyad. after 717, abd-ar-rahamn founded the powerful and independent emirate of cordoba.
- Explains that spain was a union of crowns, not kingdoms. each region maintained its own leadership, government, traditions, and rules of succession.
- Narrates how fernando died in 1529, and charles i replaced him. charles waged war five times against the french, making spain a dominant power in northern and southern italy.
- Explains that spain's economic and political glory had declined drastically by the end of the 16th century, and the thirty years' war, between the hapsburg and french bourbon dynasties, weakened spain.
- Explains that spain's decline in subsequent years led to intervention by other powers, such as the french. napoleon bonaparte forced the king of spain, charles iv, to abdicate in favor of his own brother joseph
- Analyzes how internal conflicts led to the carlist war in 1833, sparking an era of turmoil.
- Explains that the second republic brought about increased political participation in spain, but creating problems. the tragic war cost spain hundreds of thousands of lives.
- Explains that spain became a monarchy in 1947, and in 1955 joined the united nations. in 1992, seville hosted the worlds fair.
- Explains that the plazas of spain have played an important role in spain's culture. the plaza mayor, located in madrid, was built in the 17th century.
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- Spain Political Analysisexplanatory essayThe kingdom of Spain is roughly about 504,750 sq. km., including the Balearic and Canary islands (CIA). This land mass is roughly double the size of our state of Oregon. The country is located in Western Europe and borders the countries of; Andorra, France, Gibraltar, Portugal and Morocco (Ceuta and Melilla) (CIA). The country has roughly about 30% arable land and exports much of its agricultural products. The Spanish population is about 40.1 million people with about 1% growth rate (CIA). The population mix is mainly that of Mediterranean and Nordic heritage. The Kingdom of Spain is less populated than most of its European counterparts with the majority of the population living in main cities.
In this essay, the author
- Explains that the influx of illegal immigrants is a socioeconomic issue that has become very sensitive for the spanish authorities.
- Explains that spain is considered among the largest trading superpowers in the world. the eu and the us trade relations have been on the up-rise since the end of the cold war and fall of berlin wall.
- Opines that spain is recreating itself as a power in its own right with the help of the eu and global fight against terrorists.
- States that spain's population is less populated than most of its european counterparts with the majority of the population living in main cities.
1313 wordsRead More - 1521: The Spanish Conquest Of New Spainexplanatory essayThe founding of New Spain in 1521 was the result of the conquest over the Mexica emperor Moctezuma by Hernan Cortes who was a Spanish conqueror. This conquest had lead many artists and writers to capture moments from this period that they believed were important. The indigenous people of Mexica had many Codex’s’, which were books where they recorded important events that happened each year through words and images. The Codex Aubin showcased a simple but meaningful image from around 1576-1608 called “Twin Temple at Tenochtitlan” representing the starting point of events leading up to the conquest of their land. The Spaniards also recorded what they believed was important much later in time through paintings on panel by New Spanish artists Migual
In this essay, the author
- Explains that the founding of new spain was the result of the conquest over the mexica emperor moctezuma by hernan cortes who was a spanish conqueror.
173 wordsRead More - spainexplanatory essayThe Spaniard civilization can date all the way back to the Stone Age. Because of its agricultural wealth, Spain was acknowledged to have people occupy its land approximately 32,000 years ago. In A.D. 409, Spain was overrun by German invaders, but they were later forced out of the country and into Africa by a group called the Visigoths. The Visigoths, however, would soon lose control over Spain from a battle lost by the Byzantine Empire in 507. By 585, they would regain control over Spain and lived side by side under two separate laws between themselves and the Spaniards. In 711, North African Moors sailed across the straits, swept into Andalusia, and within a few years, pushed the Visigoths up the peninsula to the Cantabrian Mountains.
In this essay, the author
- Explains that spain is located on the iberian peninsula in southwestern europe and is known for its unique culture and high living standards.
- Explains that spain attempted to invade england by the dispatch of king philip ii but was unsuccessful during the anglo-spanish war.
- Explains how the spanish civilization dates back to the stone age.
- Explains that the spanish american war began april 25, 1898, when the united states declared war on spain because the battleship maine sank on the havana harbor.
- Explains that spain entered and served under the north atlantic treaty organization (nato) and four years later joined the european union.
- Explains that spanish is the official language of spain and that the accent of the language makes a difference in the way one understands conversation.
- Explains that spain's food and family are the essence of its ethnicity.
2541 wordsRead More - The Basques and Their Claim to Nationhoodanalytical essayThe Basques are an ancient people whose history is deeply intertwined with the people of Spain and France. Toward the end of the tumultuous period that followed the collapse of the Western Roman Empire, the Kingdom of Navarre (Nafarroa in Basque), centered in Pamplona, came into being. Originally this kingdom covered all of modern Navarre, plus the three Vascongadas, or Basque countries (Gipuzkoa, Bizkaia, Araba), and the modern French Basque countries, and into neighboring areas in modern Spain. When the moors invaded Spain, Navarre was never conquered, thus it retained many Basque characteristics Navarre was probably not a "Kingdom of the Basques", but it was a kingdom whose dominant ethnic group were the Basques . Through the high and late middle ages Navarre gradually lost bits of its territory through various dynastic marriages and inheritances, a...
In this essay, the author
- Explains that the basques retained special "fueros", privileges of self-governance and local assemblies for that purpose.
- Explains that the objective elements that inspire the deep felt nationalism within the basque community are primarily ethnic by nature. geertz outlines six different criteria upon which one can define ethnicity.
- Explains that the basque are unique in their blood serology. they are primarily type o blood with an occasional b type a is extremely rare and ab is non-existent.
- Explains that euskera is the oldest living european language. it has 13 vowels, 6 diphthongs, and 38 consonants.
- Explains that the basques have inhabited this region prior to roman conquest of the iberic peninsula. the earliest account of them is found in the works of greek and roman geographers.
- Explains that the basques are a cohesive ethnic group seeking to maintain their culture, or euskaldun as it is called in basque. some political scientists would not consider ethnicity as the only factor needed to define nationhood.
- Explains that the french nation is composed of different ethnic groups united under a common set of values.
- Explains that the linguistic difference between the basques and the people of france and spain became the barrier that separated them from their neighbors. in 1609, the witch hunting french official pierre de lancre was convinced that all 30,000 basque-speaking inhabitants of lapurdi were witches.
- Analyzes the internal conflicts that have severed spain since 1833. the first carlist war took the form of a popular uprising in defense of basque liberties and traditions.
- Explains that the spanish state upheld the fueros of navarre, which had been negotiated in 1841. when franco obtained power in 1936, he sought to homogenize the country.
- Explains that the basque country is faced with more than one conflict. the political and violent conflicts are not related to each other. eta's supporters must use democratic and peaceful means to defend their claims.
- Explains that the basque "nation" is composed of seven different "provinces" in the triangle formed by the atlantic ocean and the garonne and ebro rivers.
- Explains that the basques have kept traditions based on myths and legends that are transmitted orally as it was done many centuries ago. the strongest factor that prompts them to seek independence, or at least autonomy, lies in the psychological make-up of the people.
- Argues that the belief in the necessity of freeing basque politics from the trap of violence is essential to resolve the conflict.
2163 wordsRead More - Spain’s Golden Age and the Reign of Philip IIexplanatory essaySpain’s Golden Age and the Reign of Philip II A ‘golden age’ can be interpreted in many ways; it can be a time of great power for a monarch, or a country. It can be described as a time when some activity is at its peak, or as a period of great peace, prosperity and happiness. I will look at the period 1474 – 1598 to see if any of the monarchs’ reigns meet any of these interpretations of a ‘golden age’. The kingdom of Aragon had its own Cortes, which limited Ferdinand’s power as he was subject to the fueros[1]. In Castile however, the Cortes were relatively powerless; not necessary to pass laws and had little interest in taxation.
In this essay, the author
- Explains that a 'golden age' can be interpreted in many ways, such as the peak of activity, or the period of great peace, prosperity, and happiness.
- Explains that the kingdom of aragon had its own cortes, which limited ferdinand’s power as he was subject to the fueros.
- Explains that the town councils became too large and the ‘corregidors’ were disliked and were withdrawn in some cities. the royal council did not increase much in ferdinand and isabella’s reign, as they dealt with matters in person and didn’t delegate to officials
- Explains that ferdinand and isabella travelled most of their life, so the administration was wherever they were. charles i of spain had many problems even before he arrived in spain.
- Explains that charles made reforms in the administration of spain; a new council of state was set-up in 1522, and others soon followed, giving the impression of centralisation.
- Explains that charles was the source of all power, and the councils only offered advice to him. the administration did not change much, as efficiency was only improved because of financial needs. philip ii had many advisors, but he made the final decisions.
- Explains that philip built a castle in madrid, where he lived, and this meant that the administration was stationary, not like with his father and ferdinand and isabella.
- Opines that the administration of spain did not contribute to any of the monarch’s reigns being a ‘golden age’.
- Opines that foreign policy may contribute to a monarch's reign being 'golden age' as increase in land would mean more prestige and more power.
- Describes how the monarchs gained a huge overseas empire through expeditions, made by christopher columbus, sponsored by isabella.
- Explains that america had ports along the north african coast, sicily, sardinia, and southern italy. ferdinand and isabella used their children for their foreign policy.
- Explains that charles i had a huge empire, inherited the spanish lands, and fought in wars with france.
- Explains that charles' foreign policy was not very successful, and future rulers suffered from these events.
- Explains that philip had problems with the dutch, they wanted their independence, and were revolting throughout his reign. he saw war against infidels as a crucial part of his god-given duty.
- Explains how philip persuaded the turks to never fight spain again in the western mediterranean. spain's war against england was a failure.
- Explains that ferdinand and isabella's reign was the only one that could be considered a 'golden age', due to foreign policy. they gained lands and used marriage alliances to improve relations between spain and rival countries.
- Explains that ferdinand and isabella brought about prosperity in their reign. they received their income from many places; taxation, loans, and the church gave them the cruzada.
- Explains that the annual income of maravedis from powerful aristocracy had more than doubled from 150 million to 320 million. ferdinand and isabella introduced new taxes and ensured the existing ones were collected efficiently.
- Explains that royal finances were stable, and had enough income to run the government during peacetime. charles' finances, however, were poor.
- Explains how charles loaned excessively from foreign bankers to meet his demands. in 1534, charles introduced the encabezamiento, which brought in about 70 percent of the castilian revenue.
- Explains that charles' reign had some prosperity, as the population was increasing, but the new world's income was rising, from 65,000 ducats a year in 1536 to 175,000
- Explains that the papacy added to the revenue with the excusado and in 1560 the new world gave 90,000 ducats a year and that tripled by 1590s. philip introduced millones and sold noble titles and government offices.
- Explains that philip had to declare bankruptcy four times; he had inherited large debts from charles which meant a large part of the annual income was spent paying them off.
- Opines that ferdinand and isabella's reign could be considered a 'golden age' because they made beneficial changes in finance, not only initiating new taxes but also building el escorial.
- Explains that at the beginning of ferdinand and isabella's reign, the spanish church only owed allegiance to the pope in rome. however, when conquering granada, ferdinand claimed he was doing it to ‘expel from all spain the enemies of the catholic faith.
- Explains that the reconquest by the church, as they were spreading roman catholicism, made them more loyal to the crown. this meant the two most powerful groups; church and nobles were supporting the crown.
- Explains that the pope granted them complete control over the church in granada and introduced the spanish inquisition which dealt with moriscos and conversos.
- Explains that charles' religion did not change much throughout his reign and charles got on reasonably well with the popes. philip devoted more time to religion, as he was a devout roman catholic.
- Explains that philip used the inquisition as an instrument of repression, which involved prosecution by torture and burnings. modern historians have found that this was not the case.
- Explains that ferdinand and isabella's reign could be described as a ‘golden age’, as they made great changes in religion.
- Explains that philip ii made changes in religion, including improving the life of clergyman, and reforming the church to make it less corrupt, but his reign could not be described as a ‘golden age’.
- Explains that philip ii's reign was a ‘golden age’ in some areas, the people loved him, and he eliminated heresy in spain. all the monarchs in the period 1474 – 1598 experienced this.
- Opines that spain's 'golden age' does not apply more specifically to philip ii’s reign, as it was not a ‘golden age’ in other ways.
- Explains that spain was a 'golden age', as they were at peace, eradicated heresy and internal enemies, and their finances were reasonably balanced.
1911 wordsRead More - The Conquest of New Spainanalytical essayThe Conquest of New Spain Cortés came not to the New World to conquer by force, but by manipulation. Bernal Díaz del Castillo, in the "Conquest of New Spain," describes how Cortés and his soldiers manipulated the Aztec people and their king Montezuma from the time they traveled from Iztapalaopa to the time when Montezuma took Cortés to the top of the great Cue and showed him the whole of Mexico and its countryside, and the three causeways which led into Mexico. Castillo's purpose for recording the mission was to keep an account of the wealth of Montezuma and Mexico, the traditions, and the economic potential that could benefit Cortés' upcoming conquest. However, through these recordings, we are able to see and understand Cortés' strategy in making Mexico "New Spain.
In this essay, the author
- Analyzes how bernal daz del castillo, in the "conquest of new spain," describes how cortés and his soldiers manipulated the aztec people and their king montezuma.
- Analyzes how cortés and his men spend their time at montezuma's palaces.
- Explains that cortés must manipulate the hierarchal traditions of the aztec people to gain control of new spain.
- Analyzes how castillo manipulates montezuma so that he could leave the palace. he documents the buying and selling of slaves and the aztecs' engineering and architecture.
- Analyzes how castillo symbolically describes the events at the great cue. montezuma sent priests to help cortés ascend the 114 stairs to the top but he wouldn't allow them to come near him.
904 wordsRead More - The Rise of the Netherlands and the Decline of Spainanalytical essayThe Rise of the Netherlands and the Decline of Spain The reputation of the Netherlands as an important country increased in prominence during the 'early modern period' of history, that being 1500-1700. This essay intends to show that their 'rise' can be shown in terms of both a cause and also symptomatic of Spain's decrease in significance over the same period. The Spanish 'decline' largely concerns the period between 1600 and 1650, when Phillip III went from "monarch of the world"[i] (New Cambridge Modern History Volume 4 (1970), pp. 269) into a position where his country had descended into "poverty and torpor"[ii] (NCMH, pp. 280). Meanwhile, the Netherlands (in this essay, the term 'Netherlands' refers to the seven United Provinces in northern Europe) "raised themselves from nothing the challenge the massed might of the Spanish monarchy"[iii] (JH Elliott, 'Richelieu And Olivares' (1989), pp. 72). Spain, even before 1600, had mounting debts and fiscal troubles.
In this essay, the author
- Analyzes the rise of the netherlands and spain's decline in significance during the 'early modern period' of history.
- Analyzes the period between 1600 and 1650, when phillip iii went from "monarch of the world" to a position where his country had descended into "poverty and torpor."
- Explains that spain, even before 1600, had mounting debts and fiscal troubles. in 1595, the spanish crown owed 100 million ducados to its creditors.
- Opines that spain's actions over the period should have been concentrated on rebuilding the economy, clearing debts, and strengthening the nation.
- Analyzes how spain's small population and weak economy did not have the resources to create or sustain great-power status. the netherlands' inability to sustain power status was a symptom of spanish decline.
- Explains that gold and silver imported from the americas was promptly used to repay other countries, leaving spain in financial misery. spain was engaged during 1600-1650 with numerous wars.
- Opines that the netherlands revolt was spain's vietnam, sucking the money and lives of the interventionists.
- Analyzes how spain's finances were drained out of its coffers and damaged its reputación. a final war in mantua coincided with the end of a 12-year truce.
- Analyzes how the 'rise of the netherlands' was a symptom of spanish decline. olivares admired the dutch model of commerce and wished to turn spaniards into merchants.
- Argues that boosting shipping power and encouraging trade, instead of the current anti-capitalist atmosphere, is a complete mercantilist policy. spanish ships that went to the americas highlighted how unprepared spain was for commerce.
- Opines that a revision of commercial policy may have stopped spanish decline, but the crown and castilian governments refused to listen to olivares' advice, preferring to conquer the unconquerable united provinces.
- Explains that the dutch's naval defeat in 1639 was the end of an age in which spain had dominated the affairs of europe.
- Explains that the dutch geographical situation gave it access to three crucial points: the baltic trade, the north sea fisheries and the atlantic ocean.
- Explains that while other european cities were suffering from high prices and risks of low grain stocks, the dutch had regular supplies. the north sea fisheries provided 37% of the netherlands population employment.
- Explains that amsterdam, leyden, gröningen and delft were major urban centres. parma's capture of antwerp in 1585 allowed a two-year exodus for calvinists and dissidents of spain.
- Explains that amsterdam's rise is due to spanish policy in antwerp - yet another symptom of the 'rise of the netherlands'.
- Analyzes how the dutch crippled the spanish in the trades of the atlantic and indian oceans during the 12-year truce between 1609 and 1621.
- Analyzes how the maritime actions of the east and west indies decreased the influence of spain abroad, severed portuguese ties to the spanish crown, and precipitated further financial problems for spain.
- Explains that the dutch maritime economy is a cause of spain's decline due to rising power of the netherlands, and many reasons are related by symptom or cause.
- Explains that conservatism met by olivares from king and castilian parliament prevented any economic or political reform, which provided the netherlands with overseas trade which reform would have gifted to the spanish.
- Explains that the war with the netherlands was a cause for spanish decline, due to the overwhelming cost of money and lives. dutch propaganda reinforced opposition to spain, which led to lack of european support.
- Explains the reasons for the rise of the netherlands, from technological revolutions to a switch to commercial rather than agricultural activities, but the main factor was its maritime prowess.
- Concludes that it is difficult to identify the 'rise of the netherlands' as solely a symptom of spain's decline.
- Cites jr cooper's new cambridge modern history volume 4 (cambridge, 1970), pp. 269; jh elliott, richelieu and olivares, 1989;
- Cites henry kamen, golden age spain, jr cooper, new cambridge modern history volume 4 (cambridge, 1970), jh elliott, richelieu and olivares,
- Cites jr cooper, new cambridge modern history volume 4 (cambridge, 1970), cr boxer, simon schama, the embarrassment of riches, (london, 1988).
- Cites cr boxer, the dutch seaborne empire 1600-1800, london, 1965, jr cooper, henry kamen, golden age spain, 1988, pp.
1499 wordsRead More - The Black Legend and its Negative Impact on the Image of Spainanalytical essayThe Black Legend in Spain William of Orange once stated, “Spain committed such horrible excesses that all the barbarities, cruelties, and tyrannies ever perpetrated before are only games in comparison to what happened to the poor Indians.” This statement is an example of an attempt to discredit the Spanish. Attempts such as these are known as the Black Legend. The Black Legend was the name given to the concept of cruelty and brutality spread by the Spanish during the 14th and 15th century. This legend demonizes Spain and specifically the Spanish empire in an effort to harm the reputation of them.
In this essay, the author
- Analyzes how the black legend demonized spain and specifically the spanish empire in an effort to harm their reputation.
- Describes keen, benjamin, the black legend revisited: assumptions and realities. the hispanic american historical review.
- Analyzes how the black legend was promoted by spain's enemies to propagate a dark vision of spain.
- Describes the black legend in encyclopdia britannica.
1265 wordsRead More - Spanish Colonizationanalytical essayFrom the period of the late fifteenth century to the late eighteenth century, settlers from various European countries began to colonize the Americas. These colonists each held various goals in mind when settling the Western Hemisphere that affected how they interacted with those that already inhabited the Americas, leaving both positive and negative consequences. These goals, whether they were the search for great wealth or the implementation of Christianity, would forever change those that occupied the “New World.”
In this essay, the author
- Explains that settlers from various european countries began to colonize the americas in the late fifteenth and late eighteenth centuries. these colonists each had different goals in mind when settling the western hemisphere, leaving both positive and negative consequences.
- Explains that the spanish had certain goals in mind when first settling the americas that affected how they treated the native americans.
- Analyzes how columbus captured the tainos and forced them to work for him. the spanish's search for riches caused the genocide of the indigenous peoples. hernan cortes pretended to be a god.
- Explains that the encomienda system was based solely on race and not wealth. the spanish thought the native americans were stupid and lazy, and were incapable of understanding christianity.
- Analyzes how the english hoped for gold and silver like the spanish, and built a north american land empire to strengthen england.
- Analyzes how the two groups traded with one another occasionally, due to widespread starvation in the english colonies. the middle colonies, run by the quakers, treated the native americans differently.
- Explains that the french settlers wanted to establish a colony in the americas, one that would generate revenue for them, just like the spanish and english did.
- Analyzes how the spanish, english, and french treated the native americans differently. the spanish exploited the indigenous peoples for their riches and labor, while the english pushed out and murdered them to take their land.
1832 wordsRead More - The Unification of Spain: King Ferdinand and Queen Isabellaanalytical essayQueen Isabella of Castile and King Ferdinand of Aragon were one of the most famous married couples in history. Isabella was beautiful. “She had blue eyes and chestnut hair.” “She was just striking” (Isaacs). By the time she was 18, she wore beautiful gowns and jewels. “She wore them throughout her life” (Isaacs). Ferdinand and Isabella ruled Spain in a joint ruling, converted Muslims to Christianity, sponsored Christopher Columbus’s journey to a New World, had a family and Isabella even had time for education. Isabella and Ferdinand were devout Catholics that pushed and strived for Christianity in Spain. Despite their extreme measure to push for Christianity, their time in reign was the Golden Age of Spain.
In this essay, the author
- Explains that isabella of castile and ferdinand of aragon were one of the most famous married couples in history.
- Explains that isabella was the daughter of king john ii of castile. she married ferdinand in 1452, but henry iv withdrew his support and juana took the throne.
- Explains that the spanish inquisition was a powerful and brutal force of homogenization in spanish society.
- Explains that isabella and ferdinand had five children, isabel, john, joanna, maria, and catherine (isaacs). their grandson passed, leading them to believe their heir to the throne had passed.
- Explains that isabella's important aspect was education. she became proficient in latin at 35, encouraged scholars at her court to set up palace schools, and took an interest in the native americans of the new lands.
- Analyzes how isabella and ferdinand's reign was a golden age for spain. they ruled most of the modern day land that made up spain and were well on its way to becoming europe.
- Explains that ferdinand spent much of the previous decade fighting the french in italy. his final conquest was an invasion of navarre.
- Analyzes how isabella and ferdinand were motivated by political and religious arguments and sacrificed every other practical consideration. the letters between the king and the queen show that they acted in impeccable agreement.
- Explains that isabella and ferdinand were a powerful king and queen. their joint ruling of castile and aragon, sponsoring christopher columbus as he sailed to find new land, and the spanish inquisition were key aspects in unifying spain.
- Cites bard, mitchell g., “ferdinand & isabella.” jewishvirtuallibrary.org. american-israeli cooperative enterprise.
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