Title: Notes
Text:
Queen ISABELLA I (1451-1504), queen of Castile and Aragon, played one of the
most important parts in the history of Spain. She married Ferdinand
of Aragon in
1469. The marriage led to the union of Spain's largest kingdoms, Castile and
Aragon, in 1479. This union laid the foundations for Spain's future greatness
(see FERDINAND V). During their reign, new roads were built and the coinage
was made standard. Spanish law was codified, and the rulers took over the
administration of justice. They reduced the powers of the nobles.
Isabella and
Ferdinand made war on the Moors, who held part of southern Spain. They
captured the Moorish stronghold of Granada in 1492. Also, all Jews were
ordered to leave Spain or become Christians. Isabella was one of the few people
who saw merit in the plan of Christopher Columbus to find the Indies by sailing
west.Her support of Columbus gave Spain its first claims in America (see
COLUMBUS, CHRISTOPHER).This led to the growth of the Spanish Empire in
the West. ISABELLA FERDINAND Extremist Christians (ironic she may
descend from Muhammad) they introduced the Inquisition 1480 (gave control of
it to Torquemada 1483) they expelled the Jews took last Moorish kingdom at
Granada 1492 sponsors of Columbus 1492.
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