Spanish Catholic Monarchs: Reign, Economy, and Exploration
The Reign of the Catholic Monarchs
The permanent royal army allowed nobles’ advisory councils at court. They used tax collection, advisory councils of experts, and audiencias in Valladolid and Granada. The Holy Brotherhood fought crime in Castile, controlling the Inquisition’s jurisdiction and limiting the Cortes. Major streets were managed by corregidores, and Aragon had its own officials.
Strategic Alliances and Isolation of France
To weaken France, they married their children into the royal families of Portugal, the Holy Roman Empire, and England. Expansion occurred through the Mediterranean, North Africa, and the Atlantic (Canary Islands).
Economy
The economy was based on transhumant livestock farming, with the Honorable Council of the Mesta playing a key role. The Burgos Consulate was important. Aragon’s trade flourished in the Mediterranean, with Valencia and Barcelona as major ports. The shipbuilding and textile industries were protected by tariffs. Feudal abuses led to the War of the Remences, which ended with the Arbitral Decision of Guadalupe in 1486, granting serfs the right to leave the land in 1480.
Culture and Renaissance Influences
Isabelline and Cisneros architecture thrived. The Italian Domenico Fancelli created the tomb of the Catholic Monarchs. Flemish painting was prominent, with artists like Pedro Berruguete. Juan Luis Vives helped the poor, and Cisneros founded the Complutense Polyglot Bible. Antonio de Nebrija wrote the first Spanish grammar.
Age of Discovery
The discovery occurred because of the closing of routes by the Ottoman Empire and the search for new ones. Technological advancements, such as caravels, and the stories of Marco Polo provided inspiration. The Capitulations of Santa Fe granted the title of viceroy and 10% of profits. The voyage departed on August 3rd and arrived on October 12th, 1492, from Palos de la Frontera, Huelva. Key events include:
- Treaty of Tordesillas
- Vasco Núñez de Balboa was the first to cross the Pacific Ocean.
- Juan Sebastián Elcano was the first to circumnavigate the globe.
Pre-Columbian America
Pre-Columbian America included nomadic, non-developed societies, Mesoamerica, and the Andes.
- Aztecs: The Aztecs conquered the Toltecs, Mixtecs, and Zapotecs. Tenochtitlan was founded as the capital in 1325. They cultivated corn and cacao.
- Mayans: The Mayans in Yucatan developed the first cities, with palaces and pyramids.
- Incas: The Incas were warlike, conquering the Xamin, Nazca, and Chimu. They grew corn and potatoes, used llamas for transport, and guinea pigs for meat.
Key Terms and Concepts
- Royal Treasury: Collected taxes.
- Audiencia: Conducted votes and presided over councils.
- Council: Elected people to manage issues and govern a city or state.
- Mudéjar: Muslims who didn’t convert but were allowed to live in exchange for paying extra taxes.
- Primogeniture: Succession by the first child.
- Cortes: Union of political forces: clergy, military orders, and lands of the monarch.
- Inquisition: Religious court that promoted Christianity.
- Converso: Jews who converted to Christianity.
- Sephardic: Jews who refused to leave their property.
- Holy Brotherhood: A group of people who fought against crime in Castile.
- Morisco: Muslims converted to Christianity.
- Viceroy: A person who governed one of the crown’s territories in the name of the king.
- Bourgeoisie: The middle class, normally merchants or bankers.
- Bankers: People who manage a bank and organize money.
- Patron: Head saint of a church.
- Perspective: Representing a sculpture to give the impression of height, width, and depth.
- Freestanding: Standing on its own without any support or attachment.
- Commercial Capitalism: An economic system that prioritizes wealth accumulation over manufacturing or agriculture.
- The Modern State: A centralized power where an authoritarian monarchy maintained political status, reducing the rule of law, separation of powers, and democratic voting.