The Differences in Policy Towards Jews and Muslims in Medieval Spain - Report Example

What Were The Differences In Policy Towards Jews And Muslims In Medieval Spain? What Were The Differences In PolicyTowards Jews And Muslims In Medieval Spain? The medieval period was an important political period for Spain. During this period, Spanish Christians had conquered Granada, which was the last outpost of Muslims. Granada was a powerful state of Muslims. Spain had also discovered America. For the defeated Muslims and Jews in Spain, the medieval period was appropriately called annus horribilis (Spain Then and Now 2015, p. 1). After the fall of Granada to Christian Spain, Muslims were faced with the unpleasant choices offered by Isabel and Ferdinand. Jews also had the choice of either converting to Christianity or be exiled. Thousands of Jews decided to leave because of the hostilities of Christians. However, a number decided to remain and convert to Christianity. During the medieval period, the Catholic Monarchs ended the domination of Jews and Muslims in the peninsula (Lowney 2006, p. 17). Policies towards Muslims and Jews changed according to the situation. The beginning and end of this period was characterized by forced conversions and persecutions. This shows the diversity of the policies used in Spain. There were periods of peaceful coexistence between Jews, Muslims and Christians. Periods of coexistence were characterized by mutual cultural exchanges and cooperation. Spain under Catholic rule formulated policies that reflected opposition, respect and resentment towards Muslims. During this period, Christians found themselves surrounded by Muslims. Muslims influenced their churches, clothing, homes and language. Jews also influenced the life of Christians (Spain Then and Now 2015, p. 1). However, their influence was different given their historical perspective. Resentment towards Jews was evident during the reign of Visigoths. While under the Visigoths, Jews from the Iberian Peninsula suffered mass persecutions. The policy of persecution continued until the time Jews accepted to be baptized and accept Christianity. It is vital to note that during the period of Muslim dominance, relations between Muslims and Jews were cordial. The coercive Visigoth laws were hostile towards Jews. These laws forced Jews to accept Christianity or go into exile. Byzantine anti-Jewish attitudes and their legal codes influenced the Visigoth kingdom and its hostile policies towards Jews. Christian reign over Spain led to a change in policy towards Jews. These policies were tolerant towards Jews (Spain Then and Now 2015, p. 1). Jewish population was concentrated in Seville, Merida, Toledo, Narbonne and Tarragona (Spain Then and Now 2015, p. 1). Religious unification created a situation in which Jews were religious outsiders. A series of policies and decrees that resulted from the unification made life exceedingly difficult for Jews. Jews viewed the arrival of Muslims in Spain in 711 positively because of the tolerance exhibited by the two religions in North Africa. Under Islamic rule, Jews enjoyed relative prosperity and stability. This changed with the arrival of Almoravids, who were fundamentalists. The arrival of Almohads also complicated life for Jews. Persecutory and repressive policies by these two groups forced Jews to flee towards the more welcoming Christian Kingdom of Aragon and Castile (Spain Then and Now 2015, p. 1). Jew’s presence was limited to the trading communities located along the coast. The emergence of Christianity and the dominance of Christian Kingdoms increased the area of Spain covered by Christians (Fuentes 1992, p. 9). Initially, Jews were not affected by the expansion of Christianity. Jews living in conquered land were not affected. These Jews were induced by policies that conferred privileges. These privileges included tax exemption, royal protection and land grants. Even with policies that granted Jews privileges, the Christian population subjected Jews to discrimination. For instance, most Christian Kingdoms excluded them from government or military positions. In the 12th century, Muslims joined Jews in Christian land. Christians showed resentment towards Muslims because Muslims had taken Christian land. Christians welcomed the new arrivals since they needed to replace the fleeing Muslims. The arrival of new Muslims presented numerous opportunities for Jews. Christians adopted an employment policy that favored Jews against Muslims. They were given government positions, with some rising to prominence in the courts in Aragon and Castile. Christian attitude towards Muslims and Jews was relatively tolerant. The policies were tolerant despite the emergence of Christian expansionism views and ideas (Meyerson 2004, p. 10). Events in the North of Pyrenees signaled the anti-Semitism that would influence relations between Christians and Jews (Protevi 2006, p. 3). These events included the founding of the Franciscan and Dominican religious orders. This order used religious teachings that favored the conversion of Jews to Christianity. The second event was the promulgation of the Fourth Lateran Council. This council was formed by Pope Innocent III to oversee the segregation of Jews in regions that were exclusive Jewish quarters (Spain Then and Now 2015, p. 1). The council also introduced a policy that required Jews to wear distinctive patches. The third event was the Inquisition, which confronted the Cathar heresy. The fourth event was the eviction of Jews from European countries. The anti-Semitism that was emerging in Spain reflected an attitude of hostility towards Jews (Grobman 1990, p. 1). It also mirrored the religious fervor of inflamed Christianity. Christianity was inflamed by extremist rhetoric, which urged Christians to engage in a crusade against Jews. Contempt towards Jews is well captured in Alfonso X of Castile who created a law that prohibited the celebration of Jewish festivals. Alfonso’s famous code stated “and because we have heard it said in some places, Jews celebrated and still celebrate Good Friday, by way of contempt, stealing children and fastening them to crosses, and making images of wax and crucifying them. Any person thought to carry out such actions shall be brought before the King, and the King shall order the person to be put to death disgracefully” (Spain Then and Now, 2015, p. 1). Unlike the Jews who were relatively tolerated by Christians, Muslims were resented. Policies towards Muslims reflected intolerance (Berdichevsky 2006, p. 1). Christians in Spain were constantly reminded that their enemies were Muslims and Jews. Followers of this religion were viewed in a sinister manner because of the emerging rhetoric that they wanted to destroy Christianity. Because of this intolerance, there were outbreaks of violence. Spain’s close proximity to Islam was a constant reminder of the dangers posed by Islam (Paris 1995, p. 11). It was also a constant reminder of the cultural differences that existed between Christians and Muslims. The issue was complicated by the fact that Christians in Spain had fought Muslims and conquered their territory in Granada. Christian regions throughout Spain developed militaristic policies to completely repossess border villagers, towns and forts. During the period of Christian hostility towards Muslims, Jews enjoyed calmness and hospitality. They were even given an opportunity to apply their skills, particularly in commerce and trade (Cohen 2013, p. 3). Christian Spain developed policies that supported the commercial entities and businesses of Jews. This policy supported Jews as the country organized its administrative and commercial infrastructure because of the transition from Muslim to Christian rule (Vaughan 2003, p. 4). During this period, Jewish trade and commercial networks were valuable to Christian authority. They provided the support required for the transportation of commodities and goods, particularly military equipments, clothes and food. Commercial policies were formulated for the establishment of trade fairs. Jewish professionalism and expertise in public service allowed the nobles and kings to achieve their military goals. The assistance and professionalism of Jews was rewarded by the provision of security from Christian authorities. The relative stability and favors accorded to Jews for 300 years, from 1075 to 1350, can be attributed to their close working relationships with the Christian monarchs and nobility (Spain Then and Now 2015, p. 1). Physically, politically and legally, Jews were vulnerable. However, their expertise as business people and administrators enabled them to acquire influence and power beyond their means. The end of the Muslim world in Spain came after the fall of influential cities such as Valencia, Murcia, Cordoba, Jaen and Granada (Boase 2002, p. 1). After the fall of these cities, Spain embarked on a drive to expel all Muslims from Spain. The policy of intolerance towards Muslims led to the destruction of private property and religious sites. Mothers and their children were separated, and Muslim armed rebels reduced to slavery. Muslims that wanted to remain in Spain were forced into Christianity (Roth 1994, p. 12). These people were victims of a state policy that used racist and theological arguments. The state policy received support from the Church and Royal Council. The treaty of 1492 allowed for the preservation of Muslim mosques and religious sites (Novikoff 2005 p. 10). The treaty also allowed for the retention of the Islamic language. Christian hostility towards Muslims resumed seven years after the treaty was signed. Cardinal Cisneros, who ordered the burning of Islamic religious text and mass conversion of Muslims to Christianity (Chalmer 2015 p. 1), replaced the moderate archbishop of Granada. This was against the provisions of the treaty. Muslims retaliated by assassinating the Cardinal’s agents (Boase 2002, p. 1). Catholics used the retaliatory attacks to implement rules that limited Muslim activities and worship. The fall of Granada into Christian rule introduced a new phase in the Christian-Muslim relations. During the medieval period, policies that governed Muslims under Christian rules did not tolerate Islam (Morera 2006, p. 1). However, the rules recognized Muslims as a protected minority that had to preserve its customs and rules. Under Christian rule, leaders did not provide a scriptural legal status of Muslims and Jews. Jews and Muslims were subjected to will of rulers, objections of the clergy and prejudices of the population. The 1567 edict that prohibited Islamic customs, dressing and religion, and made the use of Arabic illegal led to a rebellion (Boase 2002, p. 1). The rebellion was brutally suppressed by Christians. Christians went on to commit atrocities such as the massacre of Muslims and dispersion of Muslims to other parts of Spain (Novikoff 2005, p. 9). The expulsion of Muslims from Spain was a long-term solution that was proposed by the Council of State in order to deal with the conflict between Christians and Muslims. Royal legislation that targeted Muslims was directed by the church (Ingram 2009, p. 15). The church emphasized on the expulsion of Muslims from Spain in order for Christians to live in peace (Perry and Frederick 1994, p. 10). Religious and racial intolerance were evident in Spain’s policies towards Muslims. The Council of State justified its expulsion policy based on racism. The church and council also used unorthodox racist theology, which was supported by biblical teachings. Conclusion Spain during the medieval period was characterized by religious turmoil. Christians, with support from the Pope, engaged in wars with Muslims in order to reclaim Spain. Jews were caught up in the wars between Muslims and Christians. Christian Spain had policies that reflected tolerance towards Jews. Even though Jews were vulnerable, they were accommodated in Christian Spain. They were given opportunities to run businesses and offer administrative support. Conversely, Christian Spain did not tolerate Muslims. Every opportunity was used to destroy Muslim institutions and customs. The church used its powers to formulate policies that prohibited the practice of Islam. Muslims were either required to convert to Christianity of go into exile. 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