Antisemitism+and+Spanish+Inquisition+1480

Changes in the demographic structure and reproductive patterns of Europeans: causes and consequences

Anti-Semitism and Spanish Inquisition 1480 During the 14th century anti-Semitism arose among the Spanish population. After a violent anti-Semitic wave swept over Spain, many Jews converted or were forcibly converted to Christianity later to be known as “New Christians”. In the 15th century anti-Semitic feelings were still present among the population and the Spanish Crown which wasn’t anti-Semitic knew that it had to be in order to avoid the loss of popular support. King Ferdinand of Spain then sought Papal permission to set up the Inquisition. He knew that with papal consent the Church would be blamed in case public criticism arose. When the Papal Bull arrived in 1480, the Spanish Crown immediately issued the establishment of tribunals that had to search and punish “New Christians”, that supposedly still practiced Jewish beliefs. The 15th century Anti-Semitism and the Inquisition that were present in Spain fit into the theme of the Changes in the demographic structure and reproductive patterns of Europeans: causes and consequences, because due to the anti-Semitism over forty percent of the Jewish population had been killed and converted; a percentage that rose as the Spanish Inquisition was established causing a enormous demographic drop in the Spanish population. Because anti-Semitism and the Inquisition are the main points in this paragraph, a picture of a papal tribunal is linked to this theme.

MLA: McKay, John P. __History of Western society__. 7th ed. Boston: Houghton Mifflin, 2003.

