The forging of a new state, 1469–1516 key terms

Reconquista

The centuries-long campaign by Christian states to recapture territory from Muslim rule in the Iberian Peninsula, culminating in 1492.

Catholic Monarchs

The title given to Ferdinand II of Aragon and Isabella I of Castile, who unified Spain and established a strong centralized monarchy.

Royal Authority

The power and legitimacy held by the monarchy to govern and enforce laws in a state.

Unity

The state of being united or forming a whole, particularly in the context of political and religious cohesion in Spain.

Reconquista

The period of history during which Christian kingdoms sought to recapture territory from Muslim rule in the Iberian Peninsula, culminating in 1492.

Nobility

The social class that held hereditary titles and privileges, often playing a significant role in governance and military affairs.

Conversos

Jews who converted to Christianity, often under pressure, during the Reconquista and faced suspicion and discrimination.

Anti-Semitism

Prejudice against Jews, which intensified during the late 15th century in Spain, particularly after the Alhambra Decree.

Reconquista

The Reconquista was the centuries-long process of Christian kingdoms in the Iberian Peninsula reclaiming territory from Muslim rule, culminating in 1492 with the fall of Granada.

Encomienda

The encomienda was a system that granted Spanish settlers the right to extract labor and tribute from indigenous peoples in the Americas, often leading to exploitation and decline of native populations.

Political Unity

The process of consolidating various kingdoms and territories into a single, cohesive state under a centralized authority.

Catholic Monarchs

The title given to Ferdinand II of Aragon and Isabella I of Castile, who were instrumental in the unification of Spain.