The unification of Spain under Ferdinand II of Aragon and Isabella I of Castile in the late 15th century transformed the Iberian Peninsula from fragmented kingdoms into a consolidated nation. Their marriage in 1469 led to the centralization of royal power, the completion of the Reconquista with the conquest of Granada, and the initiation of the Age of Exploration with Columbus' voyages. The establishment of the Spanish Inquisition and social reforms further defined their reign.
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The marriage of Ferdinand and Isabella led to the consolidation of royal power and the political unification of the Iberian Peninsula
Establishment of the Spanish Inquisition
The Catholic Monarchs established the Spanish Inquisition to maintain religious orthodoxy within their kingdoms
Final Conquest of the Emirate of Granada
The conquest of Granada in 1492 marked the end of Muslim rule on the peninsula and the completion of the Reconquista
Sponsorship of Christopher Columbus' Voyages
Ferdinand and Isabella's sponsorship of Columbus' voyages led to the European discovery of the Americas and the expansion of Spain's empire
The actions of Ferdinand and Isabella, including the conquest of Granada and sponsorship of Columbus' voyages, extended Spain's territorial dominion and reinforced the monarchy's authority and global influence
Prior to the union of Ferdinand and Isabella, the Iberian Peninsula was divided among several kingdoms, including Castile, Aragon, and the Muslim-ruled Emirate of Granada
The ongoing Christian Reconquista aimed to recapture territories from Muslim control and was a major factor in the political landscape of the peninsula
The ineffective governance of Henry IV, including economic challenges and political strife, led to a weakened crown and the rise of an influential nobility
The Catholic Monarchs implemented reforms to centralize the administration of their realms, including the establishment of various councils and the reorganization of local justice systems
Ferdinand and Isabella sought to address the concerns of their subjects through social policies, such as developing urban centers, alleviating peasant grievances, and curbing the privileges of the nobility
The fervent Catholicism of Ferdinand and Isabella led to the creation of the Spanish Inquisition, which aimed to maintain religious orthodoxy within their kingdoms through persecution of those accused of heresy or apostasy
The marriage of Ferdinand and Isabella laid the groundwork for a unified Spain, with the consolidation of the major political entities on the peninsula into the kingdoms of Castile, Aragon, and Portugal
The reign of Ferdinand and Isabella was characterized by the centralization of royal power, with the establishment of a more robust financial and administrative system
Despite the unification of Spain, distinct legal systems, cultural traditions, and languages continued to exist among the different regions of the peninsula
00
During the second half of the ______ century, the ______ Peninsula began transforming into what is now known as ______.
15th
Iberian
Spain
01
The union of ______ II of ______ and ______ I of ______ in 1469 was pivotal for the region's political unification.
Ferdinand
Aragon
Isabella
Castile
02
Reconquista Objective
Recapture Iberian territories from Muslim control.
