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Major Political Ideas for Chapter 13
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1. What were the political ideas behind the concept of the "new monarch?"
Some monarchs of the Renaissance are known today as the "new monarchs." They were the first to give their status as rulers a strong sense of authority, declaring that they were the ones uniting their country. These new monarchs demanded respect and loyalty from their people. To keep their power, they sometimes cruelly censored oppression, usually slowly taking power away from nobility. Instead, they relied more on the middle class while working hard in playing their role. The concept of the "new monarch" came primarily from the Renaissance political ideas similar to that in Machiavelli’s The Prince. The Prince stated that the moral behavior should not restrict political behavior and that the monarch, even through devious and corrupt actions, should use all means to reach his ideal result. With these ideas, the new monarchs pursued power and strong governments, disregarded morals, saw results as their priorities, and preferred to be feared rather than loved. The power they wanted allowed them to slowly bring about order and peace and reduce corruption within their countries.
2. Define "anti-semitism" by referring to attitudes and treatments of Jews in Spain.
Anti-semitism is racism. Spain, after England and France banished all its Jewish residents, increased in population diversity as the Jews moved into the country. Anti-Semitism against the Jews arouse in the fourteenth century when Spanish economic problems and the Black Death needed a scapegoat. Jews were massacred. Those who survived the killings were forced to convert to Christians, known as the New Christians. However, the Spaniards were not satisfied after the religious differences were settled. Many continued to accuse the converted Jews of reconverting back to Judaism. They classified the Jews into a race and discriminated against them, even if they did convert to Christianity. Eventually, Ferdinand set up the Spanish Inquisition to trial and torture anyone suspicious of being not practicing Christianity. Afterwards, the Spanish monarchy expelled all practicing Jews from Spain. Since the beginning of Anti-Semitism in Spain, Ferdinand did nothing to help the Jews in anyway in fear of bringing about a revolt against himself.