The Conquest of Granada, 1492

Why did Ferdinand and Isabella want to conquer Gra

They wanted to unify all the Spanish kingdoms, just as they had done with Castile and Aragon.
They aimed to give Catholicism dominance in the Spanish peninsula - Granada was a Muslim state.
Granada was seen as a religious and military threat because it was geographically so close to the Ottoman Empire.
Because Granada had a large coastline they had good trading links. Granada also made the luxury item - silk. This would be economically good for Spain.

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The war lasted 10 years from 1482-92.
In 1483 the Christians - Ferdinand and Isabella's troops - successfully gained large parts of Andalusia. This was an important military gain and weakened Granada economically because Andalusia was an important part of the silk-making industry.
Also, in 1483, the Christians managed to capture the Granadan prince, Boabdil. He was released after swearing loyalty to Ferdinand so Granada effectively became a vassal state.
Despite the capture of Boabdil, which divided and weakened Granada, the Moors continued to fight. They made a point of avoiding formal battles so the war became a serious of sieges and skirmishes.
However, the Christians successfully gained Marbella and in 1487, made a successful 4 month siege on Malaga.
The Moors were unable to fight a long war as they lacked support from other Muslim countries; so on 1st January 1492 the Moors surrendered after negiotations.

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Ferdinand and Isabella were given the title of the 'Catholic Monarchs' by the Pope.
There was great celebration throughout Christendom and the victory consolidated Ferdinand and Isabella's control over their kingdoms.
Convivencia was threatened as those Muslims who chose to stay in Granada were expected to convert. However, they were treated with leniancy at first.
There were food shortages and rising prices in Spain because a majority of the food had been sent to the troops.
The two states of Castile and Aragon were brought closer together because of the need for co-operation.
The Spanish economy was boosted because of the silk-making industry in Granada.

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