How did the History of Spain Affect Its Worldview?

Reflect and Respond Page 239

April 24, 2008

1. Explain why the worldview of Spain might have been different from other Western European kingdoms? Consider the effects of both geography and history.

1. Look For

• Christian faith brought in the 3rd century by Romans – long history of this belief before the Moors dominated – desire to return all people to Christianity; belief that Catholicism was the only true religion; lack of tolerance towards any other religious beliefs.

• Regaining the lands ruled by the Moors gave them a sense of superiority; looked at other cultures as inferior.

• Valued courage and strength symbolized by the conquistador; 700 years of battle

1. Continued

• 700 years of battle; the need to be merciless and ruthless in order to win would affect their treatment of people they conquered; the Spanish believed those who were conquered were there to serve Spain.

• Spain had a history of waves of invasion and colonization by various peoples; the desire to become a colonial power was a natural extension of their history.

• The mountains in Spain separated it from the rest of western Europe; Muslim kingdoms lay to the south across the Strait of Gibraltar which was easier to cross – Muslim influence was initially greater than the influence of Western Europe.

2. In what ways might the wars to unite the country have influenced the Spanish worldview?

2. Look For

• It created a sense of unity, common purpose, and common beliefs.

• It created a tradition of warfare.

• It created a sense of ethnocentrism.

3. Many Jews and Muslims outwardly converted to Catholicism but continued to practice their religion in private. What would have been their reasons to outwardly convert? How did the forced conversions reflect the Spanish worldview of the time?

3. Look For

• a way to avoid the punishments of the Spanish Inquisition

• wanted to protect personal property• wanted to hold public office• did not want to be ostracized by their neighbours• Forced conversions reflected a Spanish worldview

that focused on intolerance; the belief that the only true faith was the Catholic faith and so no other religious beliefs should be allowed to be practised.

4. What does the desire for new lands tell you about the Spanish worldview at this time?

4. Look For

• superiority – can conquer new lands and people

• sense of entitlement – deserve the wealth colonial lands would supply

• mercantilism – belief in the value of gold and silver and an economic theory based on import and export