15th Century Europe: Monarchies & Exploration
Europe in the 15th Century
During the fifteenth century, Europe pursued a demographic and economic recovery, overcoming the serious crisis of the late Middle Ages. Monarchs seized part of the political power from the nobility and centralized it. The disappearance of epidemics led to an increase in population, which also led to increased demand in the agricultural sector, gradually pulling it out of stagnation. Sea routes became active again. The development of trade and crafts increased productivity and the growth of some cities that were trading centers. The desire for currency encouraged the exploitation of silver mines in Central Europe to facilitate trade. Trade growth resulted in the accumulation of high profits in the hands of the bourgeoisie. Economic power was no longer based solely on land ownership, but on the possession of capital that was invested in productive activities, marking the beginning of commercial capitalism. The authoritarian monarchy was strengthened by the monarchs’ desire to impose their authority.
The Catholic Monarchs
In 1469, Ferdinand and Isabella married, joining the Castilian and Aragonese territories. However, this did not imply unification into a single kingdom, but rather a dynastic union. Both monarchs always acted together in foreign policy decisions.
Territorial expansion occurred after a war to conquer the Nasrid kingdom of Granada. The kingdom of Navarre also fell under the service of the crown. The Catholic Monarchs developed a policy of intermarriage with Portugal.
Foreign policy: They conquered the kingdom of Naples and occupied several places in North Africa. They also oversaw the conquest of the Canary Islands.
The New Monarchy
With the new monarchy, the king held more power. In the Crown of Aragon, the institution of the viceroy, the monarch’s representative in the territories of the crown, was established.
In Castile, to end a situation of crime, the Holy Brotherhood, an armed body that persecuted and punished criminals, was created. A council (of legal experts) and a permanent professional army (instead of the feudal army) were established. The Royal Court and the Royal Treasury for Finance were also created, along with magistrates. Muslims were forced to either convert to Christianity (becoming Moriscos) or face exile. The Tribunal of the Inquisition was established.
Economic Organization
Livestock and Agriculture: The Castilian economy was based on livestock, mainly sheep. Castilian wool was the main export. The large herds needed expansive grasslands, which was detrimental to the agricultural population. The monarchy helped and protected farmers. When agricultural production slowed, it hindered population growth. Gold and silver from America stimulated economic prosperity.
In the Crown of Aragon, efforts were made to ease the crisis. They aimed to end peasant unrest in Catalonia and enacted some laws. In Aragon, agriculture continued to be predominant, and the feudal system was reinforced. Valencia experienced economic grandeur due to the great performance of its port.
The nobility and clergy were the privileged classes. Most people were farmers without land of their own. The bourgeoisie engaged in commercial activities and crafts.
Sea Travel
In the Mediterranean, the Silk Road suffered a disruption due to the conquest of Constantinople by the Turks. This led to the search for new sea routes.
- The African route reached the islands of Madeira and the Azores, and the Gulf of Guinea, as well as the Cape of Good Hope.
- The route of India reached the coast of India, opening the way to the islands of the Moluccas (Spice Islands).
Caravel Features: masthead, square sail, foresail, triangular sail, cabin, stern, rudder, helmsman, ocean maps, winery, midship, and stern anchor.
The New Continent
Christopher Columbus believed he could reach Asia by traveling west, unaware that the Earth was larger and had more than one continent. The Catholic Monarchs financed his expedition: Santa Maria, Pinta, and Niña. The first voyage took place in 1492. The second expedition included a much larger number of people. Columbus made four voyages in total; on the last one, he toured the coast of Central America. When he died in Valladolid in 1506, he still believed he had discovered Asia. With the Treaty of Tordesillas, the American territory was divided between Portugal and Spain.