Key Concepts of Medieval Spain: Society & Politics
Mozarabic
Mozarabs were Christians living in Muslim-controlled territory. Their numbers decreased due to conversions to Islam and migration to Christian kingdoms, especially after the Almoravids and Almohads imposed stricter interpretations of the Quran.
Military Orders
Military orders were institutions created in the Middle Ages, inspired by European orders like the Templars. Organized as monasteries, they had military purposes related to religion, such as crusades to recover the Holy Places and combat
Read MoreCastile and Aragon: History, Government, Economy & Culture
The Crown of Castile
Castile and Leon joined and separated several times. In 1230, the final union occurred when Ferdinand III united the two kingdoms and founded the Crown of Castile. This crown emerged as the most powerful. In 1085, Alfonso VI took Toledo. King Ferdinand III and Alfonso X conquered most of Andalusia. In the twelfth century, Castile suffered the loss of Portugal, which became independent.
Government
The Crown of Castile was a single state with the same institutions and the same law.
Read MoreKey Geographical and Economic Concepts Explained
Dehesa: A Landscape and Agropastoral System
Dehesa: A characteristic landscape and agropastoral form of land use found in Zamora, Salamanca, Extremadura, and Western Andalusia. Its origin lies in the thinning of Mediterranean forests of oak and cork, to create open mountain pastures. Traditionally, it was oriented towards livestock farming. Today, it is somewhat more oriented towards cattle and, where the soil is better, agriculture. Some areas are also used for hunting.
Industrial Relocation: Shifting
Read MoreCanary Islands in the EU: Integration and Challenges
Integration of the Canary Islands in the EU
Since the late 1970s, Spain’s impending accession to the then European Economic Community (EEC) sparked a debate regarding the integration of the Canary Islands. Initially, the prospect of a more stable market presented clear advantages. However, the European economic and legal framework also posed significant drawbacks, being uniformly applied to all regions and member states.
Negotiations focused on reconciling the inconsistencies between the Canary Islands’
Read MoreUS New Deal Programs: PWA, CCC, AAA, NRA (1933-1939)
Public Works Administration (PWA) Achievements
Between 1933 and 1939, the PWA funded and administered the construction of more than 34,000 projects, including airports, large electricity-generating dams, major warships for the Navy, and bridges. It also funded 70% of the new schools and one-third of the hospitals built during that period. The PWA had a “multiplier effect”: for every worker on a PWA project, almost two additional workers were employed indirectly. Among other achievements, the PWA
Read MoreFeudalism, Islam, Paleolithic, Neolithic, and Modern Age
Feudalism
Feudalism refers to the social, political, and economic system based on the fief that dominated Western Europe between the 9th and 15th centuries. This system involved land holdings cultivated by serfs, part of whose production had to be given as “census” (lease) to the lord of the land, in most cases a minor noble (Lord) nominally loyal to a king. The castle, perched on high, represented power and strength. In principle, it was a bulwark to protect people from depredations. It served
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