Ferdinand And Isabella Flashcards, test questions and answers
Discover flashcards, test exam answers, and assignments to help you learn more about Ferdinand And Isabella and other subjects. Don’t miss the chance to use them for more effective college education. Use our database of questions and answers on Ferdinand And Isabella and get quick solutions for your test.
What is Ferdinand And Isabella?
Ferdinand and Isabella were two Spanish rulers who changed the course of history for their country and the world. They are best known for unifying the kingdom of Castile and Aragon, and for launching a campaign against Granada, one of the last Muslim strongholds in Iberia. They also initiated the Spanish Inquisition, which resulted in thousands of Jews being expelled from Spain.The future Ferdinand and Isabella were both born into royal families; Ferdinand was born in 1452 to Juan II of Aragon, while Isabella was born in 1451 to King John II of Castile. Although their families had been rivals since 1340 AD, they were married in 1469 with a political alliance that would bring peace between their two realms.In 1474, Ferdinand and Isabella assumed power as joint rulers over Castile and Aragon. In order to solidify this union they sought to establish religious uniformity among their people by encouraging adherence to Roman Catholicism; they also drove out any non-Christians who refused conversion or exile as part of an effort known as ‘the Expulsion’. Jews were forced out first, followed by Muslims living in Granada who refused conversion; it is estimated that approximately 200,000 people left Spain during this time period. This policy had far-reaching repercussions throughout Europe not only did it remove a large population from economic life but it also served as an impetus for further Christian expansion into other countries during what later became known as the Age of Exploration.In addition to removing religious minorities from Spain, Ferdinand and Isabella also helped create a strong central government during their reigns; notably they established themselves as absolute rulers with all decisions ultimately coming down from them. This centralized power helped them launch successful military campaigns against Granada culminating in its capture in 1492 an event that marked the end of Moorish rule over Iberia after more than seven centuries. Ferdinand and Isabella’s legacy still resonates today due to their sweeping changes across Europe not only did they help unify Spain but they also set off centuries-long trends towards exploration by European powers (including Christopher Columbus’ voyage) which changed how people thought about geography forevermore. Furthermore, despite its brutality at times such as under the Inquisition modern Europeans still live under largely secularized laws based on those instituted by these two leaders hundreds of years ago.