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To: BarbaricGrandeur
In any case most of the forced conversions took place well before Isabella during a period of riots in the 1350s. And it was not a government sponsored action either, but a spontaneous serious of peasant revolts which had to be put down by royal troops.

What are you talking about?  Wasn't Spain ruled mostly by the Muslims in the 1350s?  Ferdinand and Isabella were the first Spanish Royalty to rule "Spain" in several hundred years, uniting the country and kingdoms with their marriage not long before Columbus' little boat trip.  There were small Christian kingdoms in the northern part of the country, always at the mercy of the much stronger Moors, who ruled central and southern Spain for around 700 years.

There certainly may have been the riots and forced Christianization that you speak of, but they would have been in reaction to living in the shadow of Jihad.  Ya ain't paranoid if they really are out to kill (or convert) you.

Context matters.

107 posted on 08/19/2006 9:49:49 AM PDT by Phsstpok (Often wrong, but never in doubt)
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To: Phsstpok
The Reconquista was a long 700 year war. It didn't end with a flash with Isabella and Ferdinand. Both already ruled Castile&Leon, and Aragon before they married each other combining most of Christian Iberia into one (although technically it was not one country even then, they ruled separately, and their realms split after their death for a time). Here is a map of the Spanish kingdoms as of 1360.
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As you can see, only Granada is still in Muslim hands. It was Granada that Isabella and Ferdinand finally finished conquering at the time of Columbus.
138 posted on 08/19/2006 9:28:16 PM PDT by BarbaricGrandeur
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