Who were the main targets of the Spanish Inquisition?

Who were the main targets of the Spanish Inquisition?

The main targets of the Spanish Inquisition were individuals who were suspected of practicing or adhering to religions other than Catholicism, particularly Jews and Muslims. The Inquisition was established in 1478 by the Catholic Monarchs, Ferdinand II of Aragon and Isabella I of Castile, with the aim of ensuring religious and political unity within their newly unified kingdom. The primary objective of the Inquisition was to identify and eliminate any perceived threats to Catholic orthodoxy, and thus, individuals who were suspected of heresy, apostasy, or religious non-conformity became the main targets. While Jews and Muslims were the primary focus, the Inquisition also targeted conversos (Jews who had converted to Christianity) and moriscos (Muslims who had converted to Christianity). The Inquisition employed various methods, including torture and interrogation, to extract confessions and gather evidence against the accused. The consequences for those found guilty were severe, ranging from confiscation of property and expulsion to imprisonment, torture, and even execution. The Spanish Inquisition played a significant role in shaping the religious and social landscape of Spain during the late 15th and 16th centuries.