The Spanish Inquistition Essay -- essays research papers fc

Ferdinand and Isabella used the Inquisition to eliminate opposition in Spain. Their thoughts were that by eliminating the Jews, Muslims, and New Christians in Spain they would gain unity, wealth, and power. They wanted to make a Christian and only a Christian Spain.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Since Ferdinand and Isabella were married they strived to make Spain a whole. With Ferdinand ruling Aragon and Isabella ruling Castile they united Spain as one. Soon Ferdinand and Isabella had the regions of Granada and Portugal as part of Spain. But Ferdinand and Isabella wanted to increase their authority over their kingdom through religion as well. Ferdinand new that the church controlled large amounts of land and also served significant roles in the political system, he took these very important things into major consideration. Isabella on the other hand, â€Å"†¦had a genuine concern for religious reform and believed in their responsibility for the spiritual life of their subjects and people.†(Ovid 3). Ferdinand and Isabella didn’t think of using the Inquisition to purify Spain until a priest named Tomas de Torquemada brought it to their attention. Torquemada was Isabella’s confessor or spiritual leader. Torquemada convinced Ferdinan d and Isabella that once the Inquisition was in place they could eliminate all non-Catholic believers. He bribed them with the thought that they,â€Å"†¦could use it to solidify the supremacy of Catholicism in Spanish life†¦the inquisition would promise them con...