History The Spanish Inquisition Questions
The Spanish Inquisition can be divided into three main stages:
1. The Establishment (1478-1530): This stage began with the establishment of the Spanish Inquisition by the Catholic Monarchs, Ferdinand II of Aragon and Isabella I of Castile, in 1478. Its primary purpose was to identify and punish conversos (Jews and Muslims who had converted to Christianity) suspected of practicing their former religions in secret. During this stage, the Inquisition focused mainly on the conversos and their descendants.
2. The Consolidation (1530-1560): In this stage, the Spanish Inquisition expanded its scope beyond the conversos and targeted other groups deemed heretical or subversive, including Protestants and Moriscos (Muslims who had converted to Christianity). The Inquisition became more powerful and gained more control over the Spanish society, using torture and intimidation to extract confessions and enforce religious orthodoxy.
3. The Decline (1560-1834): During this stage, the power and influence of the Spanish Inquisition gradually declined. The Inquisition faced opposition from various sectors of society, including the Spanish Crown, Enlightenment thinkers, and other European powers. In 1834, the Spanish Inquisition was officially abolished by Queen Isabella II, marking the end of its existence.
It is important to note that these stages are not strictly defined and there were overlaps and variations in the activities of the Spanish Inquisition throughout its history.