The Rise and Fall of Muslim Spain

Muslims Arrive in Spain

After Islam had begun to spread to Africa through trans-Saharan trade it was only
natural that Islamic expansion should eventually continue into Europe. Islam first reached
Europe in the year 711 C.E., when a group of Muslims from North Africa called the Moors
crossed the Mediterranean Sea and arrived in the Iberian Peninsula. Known today as Spain and
Portugal, the Iberian Peninsula was then home to several different Christian kingdoms,
including the kingdoms of Aragon, Castile, and Leon. While many resisted the Muslims’
newfound presence in the Iberian Peninsula, the Moors were only the first of many Muslim
groups to call this region home over the next six hundred years. Under Muslim rule the Iberian
Peninsula would soon be known by a new name, Al-Andalus.

“A City of Light” in the Capitol of Cordoba
The first capitol of Muslim Spain was the city of Cordoba in 716. Cordoba was a large,
impressive city, but did not become the capitol until the efforts of one man unified Muslims in
the Iberian Peninsula and launched Cordoba into a Golden Age. Abd Al-Rahman had been one
of the leaders of the Umayyad’s (a group of Muslims in Damascus, then later Baghdad.) After
Umayyad rule was overthrown Abd Al-Rahman fled to the Iberian Peninsula where he gained
support and helped unify Muslims living in and around Spain. With a large population and a
united government, Muslims, Christians and Jews living in Cordoba made great advancements
in bookmaking, trade, agriculture, astronomy, and medicine.

Government in Muslims Spain
In addition to being well known for it’s golden age achievements Cordoba under
Muslims rule also became well-known for it’s religious tolerance. While other parts of the
Iberian Peninsula, including Southern Spain continued to experience violence between battling
groups of Christians and Muslims, Cordoba witnessed peace and harmony amongst it’s people.
Christians, Jews, and Muslims lived and worked side by side, and developed unique dialects, or
ways of speaking that combined Arabic with regional languages. In many other areas of Europe
at this time Jews were facing discrimination, but in Cordoba were offered high ranking
government jobs, including advisor positions under Muslim rulers.

The Weakening of Muslim Control
After over two hundred years of advancement and peace Cordoba’s golden age came to
an an end. In 1002 the Muslim Government in Cordoba fell apart. Similar to the Roman Empire,
Muslim Spain faced both internal and external problems that caused it’s decline. Disagreements
between different Muslim groups led to Spain being broken into eleven different “districts,”
each with their own leader and government. With many smaller Muslims groups arguing
amongst themselves for power, they became vulnerable to outside attacks from Christian
kingdoms in northern Spain who were seeking to reclaim land in Southern Spain. Another
shared similarity with Rome, the Muslim government had begun to employ mercenaries,
soldiers who fought for money, and were not always loyal to Muslim Spain.

The Fight Against the Moors
Since the Muslims had arrived in Spain many Christian kingdom had resisted their
presence, but lost. Once they had arrived in Europe Muslims had most of Southern Spain very
quickly. Even though later military efforts to invade more Northern countries like France were
unsuccessful, Christian kingdoms across Europe had learned that the Muslims were a fearsome
military opponent. Throughout Muslim rule in Spain efforts by Christian kingdoms to re-
conquer lands lost to the Muslims were constant—this was called the Reconquista. In 1212
there were three major Christian Kingdoms remaining in northern Spain: the kingdoms of Leon,
Castile and Aragon. In 1085 the kingdom of Castile won a great victory over the Muslims at
Toledo, who would then be confined to Southern Spain. By 1250 the majority of Muslims had
been driven out of Europe, except from the city of Granada, which remained a Muslim-
controlled area until 1492.

The Rise of Catholic Spain
In the year 1475 King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella united the kingdoms of Castile, Leon
and Aragon into one united kingdom—Spain (when it “officially” becomes Spain!) Not only
were they powerful Catholic monarchs, they also had the financial backing and support of the
Pope, the leader of all Christianity. With the Pope’s help they set out to create a unified,
Catholic Spain by forcing anyone who wasn’t Christian—Muslims and Jews—out of Spain… for
good. The king and queen started the Spanish Inquisition with the help of Catholic church
officials. The goal of the Spanish Inquisition was to find and punish Heretics, people who’s
teaching and beliefs went against the Catholic Church. The Spanish Inquisition has a fearful time
for any non-Christian who was still living in Spain. Many converted to Christianity out of fear or
fled rather than be found by the Inquisition. The methods used on suspects found by the
Inquisition ranged from questioning, to torture, or even death.