Islamic Spain and The Ottoman Empire

The Almoravids made changes later on, they persecuted all the Jews, Christians, and Intellectuals. Works of Arts and literature where thrown away and burned if the Almoravids thought it was decadent. Just because of this many Christians and Jews fled to Christian north.

By 1172 the Almoravids were replaced by a second wave of people from north Africa. These people became to be known as the Almohads. In July 1212 the Alfonso VIII attacked the Almohad army in Las Navas de Tolosa. This was the end of Moorish ( Arabs ) supremacy in spain.

From all that capturing of territories by the Christians in the thirteenth century, Muslims and Jews began to feel discrimination. Both of these groups were law abiding and hard working. By the fourteenth century these two groups had to wear distinctive clothing, have certain jobs, and live in only certain parts of the city. As this century went on many non-Christians had to change to being Christians.

In 1474 the two major Spanish kingdoms, Castile and Aragon were united in a marriage of Ferdinand of Aragon, and Isabella of Castile. Together they had chosen to give Spain a new religion, Catholicism. By 1485 the Spanish Inquisition had begun. Anyone could be investigated to see their Catholic beliefs. Those who did not believe or failed the investigation were burned a stake. The Christian rulers also decided that no Christian should have Moorish of Jewish ancestors.

In 1491, Ferdinand and Isabella gave all the Jewish people four months to get baptized or they would have to leave Spain. Many of the Jews thought they could go to Portugal but they were kicked out of there as well. Approximately 160,000 Jews went to the Ottoman Empire, about 20,000 Jewish people died on their journey east, and 50,000 Jews accepted Baptism.

By 1492, Ferdinand and Isabella conquered Granada and finally ended the Reconquista. Then they both gave the same option to the moors that the Jewish people got. The option was to get baptized and convert, or you will be banished from Spain.

By 1526, they were no Muslims left in Spain because the moors were technically Christian. However they still spoke Arabic, primarily in Granada. Some moors even practised their religion privately, even some of the Jews did this. Both of these groups were scared of death by the Christians because if they get investigated they would be burned and exposed in public.

At the time of 1566, speaking Arabic or possessing Arab documents was forbidden. In the time of 1589 to 1614 all of the Moors had to leave Spain. They were all banished. It is said that approximately 300,000 Moors were kicked out of Spain. Even the ones who had become Christians. 
In these years Arabs, Jews, and Christians have fought, if we could just solve without fighting.

Image via Wikipedia

Image via Wikipedia