Canary Islands Integration & Spanish Monarchy 15th Century
Integration of the Canary Islands
The Canary Islands were in dispute between Portugal and Spain until the Treaty of Alcáçovas-Toledo in 1479. Portugal relinquished control of the archipelago yet to settle, and for nearly twenty years, the Spaniards ultimately imposed their rule over the islands. The process of conquest began with the signing of capitulations between the Crown and individuals acting in the name of the monarchy. Subsequently, especially after 1492 with the discovery of America, the Crown benefited from exclusive control of the archipelago for use in the Atlantic route.
Ferdinand and Isabella established positive relations with Portugal. The Portuguese Crown recognized Isabel as Queen of Castile and covenanted the legitimate marriage of the eldest daughter of Ferdinand and Isabella, Elizabeth, heir to the Portuguese throne. In addition, they proceeded to the distribution of areas of operation and navigation in the Atlantic. The Catholic Kings gave up the Azores and Madeira and the African coast south of Cape Bojador, leaving the Canary Islands to the Spanish. Subsequently, they negotiated a new pact, the Treaty of Tordesillas of 1494, in which Portugal recognized the Castilian right on American soil.
The Organization of the State Under Ferdinand and Isabella
The political program of the Kings had as main objectives the strengthening of royal authority, State modernization, maintenance of estate society, and religious unity.
- The first aspect was evident from the start as the Kings exercised power personally, without allowing any challenge to their authority. The Court took on a ceremonial drive to mark the distances.
- Added an efficient and intense propaganda of government action and grandeur, underlined by the wide range of charitable buildings and memorials.
- Also knew how to surround himself with loyal employees, such as Hernando de Talavera and the Cardinals Mendoza and Cisneros, who guided its policy effectively.
Modernization of the State
The modernization of the state, closely connected with the strengthening of royal power, amounted to an increase in tax revenue, creating a standing army, control of territory through administrative reforms (network of magistrates and the Holy Brotherhood), and the decadence of the Castilian Cortes in front of the power now assumed by the Royal Council.
The Kings got away from the great masters of the government and stayed away from the court. They cut their privileges and took control of the assets of the military orders, but did not seek to weaken, despite everything, the aristocratic establishment because they needed the stability of the power of the nobility to consolidate the social estates. The laws on primogeniture helped prop up the necessary support of the nobility to the work of the crown.
Religious Unity
Religious unity was achieved through the establishment of a series of drastic measures:
- The introduction in 1478 of the Inquisition, a tribunal that the kings used as an instrument of totalitarian repression applied to any religious or political dissent.
- The expulsion of the Jews in 1492.
- The forced conversion of Muslims in 1499.