Moriscos

Definition

Moriscos were the Iberian Muslims who converted to Christianity, often forcibly, during the Reconquista and Spanish Inquisition. They were required to adopt Christian practices and language, while still maintaining their distinct cultural and religious identities.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Moriscos were required to adopt Christian names, dress, and customs, while still practicing Islam and speaking Arabic in private.
2. Many Moriscos were forcibly baptized and faced intense persecution and discrimination from the Spanish Inquisition.
3. Moriscos played a significant role in the economy of Spain, particularly in agriculture and crafts, which led to resentment and suspicion from the Christian majority.
4. In 1609, King Philip III ordered the expulsion of all Moriscos from Spain, leading to the displacement of hundreds of thousands of people.
5. The forced conversion and expulsion of the Moriscos was a significant factor in the decline of Spain's economic and political power in the 17th century.

Review Questions

• Describe the origins and status of the Moriscos within Spanish society during the Reconquista and Spanish Inquisition.
  • The Moriscos were Iberian Muslims who were forced to convert to Christianity during the Reconquista, the Christian reconquest of the Iberian Peninsula from Muslim rule. Despite their forced conversion, the Moriscos maintained distinct cultural and religious practices, leading to intense persecution and discrimination from the Spanish Inquisition. The Moriscos were required to adopt Christian names, dress, and customs, but many continued to practice Islam and speak Arabic in private, creating tensions with the dominant Christian population.
• Analyze the economic and social impact of the Morisco population in Spain, and how this contributed to their eventual expulsion.
  • The Moriscos played a significant role in the economy of Spain, particularly in agriculture and crafts. Their economic importance led to resentment and suspicion from the Christian majority, who viewed the Moriscos as a threat. This, combined with the Moriscos' continued practice of Islam and resistance to assimilation, contributed to the decision by King Philip III in 1609 to order the expulsion of all Moriscos from Spain. The forced displacement of hundreds of thousands of Moriscos was a significant factor in the decline of Spain's economic and political power in the 17th century.
• Evaluate the long-term consequences of the Morisco expulsion on the development of the Atlantic world and the relationship between religious minorities and dominant powers.
  • The expulsion of the Moriscos from Spain had far-reaching consequences for the development of the Atlantic world. The loss of a skilled and economically important population weakened Spain's position and opened opportunities for other European powers to expand their influence in the region. Additionally, the forced assimilation and displacement of the Moriscos highlighted the tensions between religious minorities and dominant powers, setting a precedent for the persecution and marginalization of minority groups in the name of religious and cultural homogeneity. This dynamic would continue to shape the relationship between dominant and minority populations throughout the Atlantic world in the centuries to come, with significant implications for the social, economic, and political development of the region.

Related terms

Reconquista: The Christian reconquest of the Iberian Peninsula from Muslim rule, which culminated in the fall of Granada in 1492.

Spanish Inquisition: A powerful institution established in 1478 to maintain Catholic orthodoxy in Spain and its territories, which targeted religious minorities like the Moriscos.

Assimilation: The process by which a minority group or culture comes to resemble a dominant group or adopt the traits of the prevailing culture.