Christian Spain From The 700s To The 1500s Was Dominated By The Interplay Of Two Opposing Forces: The

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Christian Spain from the 700's to the 1500's was dominated by the interplay of two opposing forces: the
idea of an ultimate Christian conquest of the whole peninsula and that the Christian and Islamic peoples of
Spain had become irretrievably associated with each other.
    In the early 700's, the Muslims crossed the straits and defeated Roderic, the last Gothic king. In
the next few years the Muslims took over almost all of Spain except for a remote region. Because the
Muslims enjoyed the fertile plains and mild climate of southern Spain, they never had a strong hold on the
bleak uplands of Castile. In the tenth and eleventh centuries, Muslim Spain brought knowledge and ideas
into the Christian lands. Agriculture was improved by the introduction of irrigation and new crops such as
sugar, saffron, cotton, citrus fruit, and silk. Industry was improved by the introduction of products such as
paper and glass.
    The Muslim conquerors did not make the Christians convert. Instead, the Muslims gave
Christians the option of accepting their faith or paying a poll tax. The Jews, who had previously been
persecuted, enjoyed official protection and made several contributions.
    Although the Muslims brought about many achievements, their civilization rested on insecure
foundations. There was often fierce political and religious feuds over control of the empire. There was
also the division of part of Cordoba into states, which constantly warred with each other. These struggles
allowed the little Christian kingdoms in the north to grow strong and eventually begin a advance against the
Muslims.
    The Reconquest originally began by the Christians as an effort to regain lost lands, but ultimately
turned into a crusade. The Muslim territory in Spain was diminished to the small kingdom of Granada by
the time of Ferdinand's death in 1252. (((( The Reconquest also had other benefits. As the Muslims fell
back, large amounts of land became the possession of the crown (which was then redistributed i

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