Introduction to the Early Modern Era

1. UNIT 6: THE CATHOLIC
MONARCHS AND THE
DISCOVERY OF AMERICA
2nd graders
Social Studies Department
Almudena Corrales Marbán

2. 1. THE EARLY MODERN
EUROPE
Almudena Corrales Marbán
The fall of Constantinople by
the Turks (1453) and the
Discovery of America(1492)
marked a new historical period
known as the Early Modern
Period (Edad Moderna), which
lasted until the year 1789, with the
French Revolution.

3. MORE INFO….
Almudena Corrales Marbán
http://www.slideshare.net/elbauldelared/a-
walk-through-history-35210530
A WALK THROUGH
HISTORY

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What are the main characteristics of the
modern states?
In several European countries the modern state emerged. It was a new political
system ruled by authoritarian monarchs.
The king succeeded in their authority over the feudal lords, using various
methods.
a) The creation of a PERMANENT ARMY formed of professional soldiers.
b) Application of COMMON LAWS in all the territories.
c) Organisation of the administration with GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS who
worked for monarchs.
d) The development of DIPLOMACY to defend their interest abroad.

5. 2. THE REIGN OF THE
CATHOLIC MONARCHS
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2.1. INTRODUCTION
The modern state began in Spain with
the reign of Isabel of Castilla and
Fernando of Aragón, who were
known as the Catholic Monarchs.
During their reign, the Iberian
Peninsula began to be governed by
a common policy. However, Castilla
and Aragon continued to be
independent kingdoms and even
kept their own Cortes, laws,
languages, coins and institutions

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2.2. DOMESTIC POLICY –POLÍTICA INTERNA-
• The Catholic Monarchs subjected the nobility and the clergy to royal
authority. They controlled the municipalities increasing the role of the
CORREGIDOR.
• The Holy Brotherhood (La Santa Hermandad) was created to keep order in
rural areas.
• The Catholic Monarchs transformed the Royal Council of Castilla
(Consejo Real de Castilla) and established the Council of Aragón.
• In order to administrate justice they created the Chancillerías or Courts of
Justice.
• They decided to organised a permanent army, which enabled them to conquer
the kingdom of Granada in 1492, incorporate the Canary Islands in 1496,
and Navarra in 1515.
• They also achieved the religious unification of the Peninsula by expelling
the Jews in 1492, and extended the INQUISITION, which already existed in
Aragon, to Castilla.

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LA RENDICIÓN DE GRANADA, Francisco Pradilla y Ortiz, 1882.
Palacio del Senado, Madrid

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2.3. FOREIGN POLICY –POLÍTICA EXTERIOR-
• The Catholic Monarchs set up alliances with other European
Kingdoms like the Holy Roman Empire and the Habsburg dynasty,
England and Portugal. They did this through a carefully planned
MATRIMONIAL POLICY, marrying the sons and daughters to the
princes and princesses of Portugal, the Habsburg Empire and
England.
• During their reign they conquered land in the North of Africa:
Melilla, Oran, Tripoli.
• After a war against France, they recovered the kingdom of Naples,
which had belonged to the Trastámara family, of which, both, Isabel
and Fernando were members. This helped the Aragonese expansion
throughout the Mediterranean.
• They supported geographical expeditions in the Atlantic Ocean.
These initiatives led to the Discovery of America.

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THE CONQUEST OF ORAN
El cardenal Cisneros en la toma de Orán.
Detalle del mural de Juan de Borgoña de
1514. Catedral de Toledo.
For more info visit the website:
http://www.artehistoria.com/v2/obras/11014.htm
Also
https://historiadeguadalajara.wordpress.com/20
13/11/19/cien-alcarrenos-a-la-conquista-de-
oran/

10. 3. THE DISCOVERY AND
CONQUEST OF AMERICA
Almudena Corrales Marbán
At the end of the 15th century, Spain and Portugal discovered and occupied
new territories unknown to the Europeans before.
New
world
Old
world

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3.1. THE GEOGRAPHICAL DISCOVERIES
Factors that influenced the geographical
discoveries:
• The Turkish presence in the Eastern
Mediterranean made it necessary to look for
other route to Asia.
• Advances in cartography and navigation and
the use of the caravels.
• Travellers’ tales like Marco Polo’s diary
• The opportunity to get rich.

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Going back to MARCO POLO……

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The Portuguese first sailed along the coast of
Africa trying to reach India.

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