Jews and the Reconquista

The “Recapturing” of the Iberian Penninsula

Iberian Peninsula

Sometimes called Iberia, is located in the extreme southwest of Europe and includes the modern-day sovereign states of Spain, Portugal and Andorra, as well as the British Overseas Territory of Gibraltar. It is the westernmost of the three major southern European peninsulas

The Reconquista

A period of almost 800 years (539 years in Portugal) in the Middle Ages during which several Christian kingdoms succeeded in retaking the Muslim-controlled areas of the Iberian Peninsula

Jigsaw reading activity1. Iberian Jews Under Muslim Rule

How did Jews live under Muslim Rule?

2. Jews Come Under Christian Rule

What impact did the fight between the Christians and the Muslims over control of Iberia have on the Jews?

3. The Spanish Inquisition

What was the Inquisition? Was it a good or bad thing?

4. Jews Are Forced to Leave Iberia

What was the lasting impact of the Reconquista on Jewish culture?

Timeline ActivityFollow these steps to create a timeline.

1. Draw a timeline, and title it “Jews and the Reconquista.” Label the endpoints of your timeline “700 c.e.” and “1600 c.e.” 2. Place the following events on the timeline. On your timeline, write the date and the label for each event. Then add a two- or three-sentence caption describing what effects the event had on the Jews of Iberia.

• 711 Muslims invade Iberia

• 1085 Christian armies capture Toledo

• 1348 An outbreak of the Black Death hits the Iberian Peninsula

• 1479 King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella unite kingdoms of Aragon and Castile

• 1492 Spain conquers Granada

• 1497 Portugal expels Jews

• 1536 Portugal establishes the Inquisition