What is a Reconquista? Reconquista: causes and consequences

What is a Reconquista? This term refers to the long reconquest by Christians of their territories on the Iberian Peninsula, captured by Muslim Moors. The meaning of the word "Reconquista" is very simple, the term itself is translated from Spanish as conquest.

Reconquista: reasons

Reconquista began immediately after the conquest of the Pyrenees by the tribes of the Arabs (the first half of the 8th century) and went with varying degrees of success. The feudal strife provoked Christian monarchs to war with each other and their vassals, as well as to conclude temporary alliances with the Islamic conquerors.

During the Crusades the war against the Moors-Muslims was akin to the struggle for all Christianity in general. Knights' orders (Templars, etc.) were originally created to fight the Moors, and the Pope called for the knights of Europe to fight for the liberation of the Iberian Peninsula.

Home Reconquista

After the Moors conquered much of the Pyrenees, most Visigothic aristocrats preferred to remain on the conquered lands. For example, the sons of the ruler of Vitica. They received from the Arab authorities in their personal property the fertile lands of the Visigothic crown. However, the faithful parts of the Visigoth army, a large part of the aristocrats and clergy who did not agree to stay in the occupied territory, retreated to Asturias. There they subsequently created the kingdom of the same name. In the summer of the 718th, the influential Visigoth Pelayo (probably the former guardian of King Roderich), who was held hostage in Cordoba, returned to Asturias and was elected the first king of the newly-made kingdom. The election was held at Field Fura. After receiving news of the meetings at the Field of Fura, the Governor of Munus sent a message to the emir of Andalusia.

However, it was not until 722 that a detachment led by Alcamo arrived in Asturias. With the punishers was also the Bishop of Sevilla Oppa. He had to provoke Peylo to appear Alcamo, moving to Lucus Asturum. From this place, the Arabs broke into the valley of Covadonga, seeking Christians. But in the gorge the detachment of Alcamo was ambushed and was defeated. The leader himself was killed.

When the news of the death of the detachment of Alcamo reached the Berber governor of Munusa, he left the city of Gijón and with his detachment moved forward to meet Pelayo. The battle took place near the village of Olalla. The troops of Munus were completely destroyed, and he himself was killed. Answering the question about what a Reconquista is, what are its causes, it is impossible not to mention this event, for it was precisely this event that triggered it.

Formation of the Pyrenees

After a successful start, the Reconquista Asturias in the early 10th century. Moved its borders and became the kingdom of Leon. In the same century, another state emerged from it - the kingdom of Castile. A little later they merged. At the turn of the VIII-IX centuries successful trips of the Franks allowed the creation of a Spanish brand in the northeast of the Pyrenees with the capital in Barcelona. In the IX century. From it stood out Navarre, and a little later - the countries of Aragon and Catalonia. In 1137 they united in the kingdom of Aragon. In the west of the Pyrenees, the Portuguese county was created, and later became a kingdom.

The political situation at the turn of the 12th-13th centuries

At this time, the Christian powers were able to recapture from the Arabs a serious part of the Pyrenees. Their victory over the Caliphate, which was more developed from the economic point of view, can partly be explained by the fact that the Arab state in the early 11th century turned into almost two dozen hostile provinces (emirates). But this was not the main reason for success. Christian countries in the Pyrenees also feuded among themselves, and by attracting the Moors to their side. However, the Christians proved to be more united, as well as stronger in the military aspect.

The situation of Christians under the rule of the Arabs

For the Arabs, the Christian population became the object of merciless exploitation. The vanquished remained in the position of half-slaves. Even those who converted to Islam or adopted Arabic customs were considered to be lower class people. The original religious tolerance of the Moors disappeared without a trace. Gradually, she was replaced by ardent fanaticism. This was the reason for the many Christian uprisings that undermined the strength of the Caliphate.

Reasons for success Reconquista

What is a Reconquista? This question can now be answered more fully. A common enemy and oppressor rallied Christians. Therefore, the Reconquista adopted the character of the liberation movement, despite the military colonization plans of Christian kings and the feud between Aragon and Castile, and feudal lords with each other. At the decisive moment the Christians rallied. The peasantry had its own incentive to win this war. In the conquered territories they could receive not only land, but also freedom from feudal lords, fixed in charters and charters (fueros). Therefore, Christians opposed the Moors as a whole. In addition to the Spaniards, European knights (mainly Italian and French) took part in the liberation of the Pyrenees from the Moors. Therefore, the question "what is Reconquista" can be answered like this: this is an international Christian liberation movement. Pope many times declared these emancipating campaigns "cross."

Continuation Reconquista

In 1085, the Spaniards took the attack of Toledo. This victory was very important. At the same time, the Arabs, exhausted by the internecine war, asked for help from the African Berbers. The united Moorish army was able to defeat the Spaniards, which for a time slowed down the Reconquista. Soon (mid-XII century) in place of the North African Berbers came other conquerors - the Moroccan almohad. However, they could not unite the emirates of the Pyrenees. Ask any Spaniard what the Reconquista is. The definition of this term is known to both old and young. It is the struggle of the oppressed against the oppressors, one faith against the other - the war of rulers and cultures.

Victory Reconquista

In 1212, the combined forces of Navarre, Aragon, Portugal and Castile defeated the Moors at Las Navas de Tolosa. After this defeat, the Arabs could not recover. In 1236, Castilians took Cordoba, in 1248 - Seville. Aragon captured the Balearic Islands. Castile conquered Cadiz in 1262 and went to the Atlantic Ocean. In the 1238th, Valencia fell. Toward the turn of the 14th century. The Moors owned only the Granada Emirate - a rich province in the south of the Pyrenees. In this territory the Arabs held out until 1492.

Conclusion

Above it was told what a Reconquista is. According to history, the conquest of lands was accompanied by their consolidation behind the winner and settlement. In the reconquest, townspeople and small knights played a big role. However, the main benefits of the war were the big feudal lords. They created large estates on the annexed lands.