The Alhambra Decree of March 31, 1492

On March 31, 1492, King Ferdinand II of Aragon and Queen Isabella I of Castile issued the Alhambra Decree, also known as the Edict of Expulsion. This royal edict mandated the expulsion of practicing Jews from the Kingdoms of Castile and Aragon, which were part of what would become unified Spain.

Context and Background

• Reconquista: By 1492, the Reconquista, the Christian campaign to reclaim Iberian territories from Muslim rule, had reached its conclusion with the conquest of the Emirate of Granada. This victory marked not just a territorial conquest but also a unification effort under Catholic Christian rule.

• Religious Homogeneity: The decree was part of a larger movement towards religious and political consolidation. Isabella and Ferdinand, known as the Catholic Monarchs, sought to establish a religiously uniform state, aligning religious identity closely with political and national identity.

• Anti-Semitic Sentiment: Prior to the decree, Jews faced increasing hostility and violence, including anti-Semitic riots and restrictive legislation. Many Jews had already converted to Christianity, either voluntarily or under duress, becoming conversos. However, suspicions about the sincerity of their conversions fueled further intolerance.

Key Provisions of the Alhambra Decree

• Expulsion Order: The decree ordered all Jews who refused to convert to Christianity to leave the kingdoms by July 31, 1492. Failure to comply meant the confiscation of property and execution.

• Timeframe and Restrictions: The affected Jewish population was given four months to liquidate assets and make arrangements for emigration. Jews were also prohibited from taking gold, silver, and coined money out of Spain, although they were permitted to carry other movable property.

Consequences and Impact

• Mass Migration: The expulsion led to the displacement of an estimated 40,000 to 100,000 Jews. Many sought refuge in neighboring Portugal (which later enacted similar measures), North Africa, and the Ottoman Empire, where they established thriving communities.

• Cultural and Economic Effects: The expulsion significantly impacted Spain’s economy, as Jews had been integral to commerce, finance, and various trades. The decree contributed to the significant loss of cultural diversity and intellectual capital.

• Religious Uniformity and Inquisition: The expulsion was paralleled by the growth of the Spanish Inquisition, a tool used to enforce Catholic orthodoxy. The Inquisition specifically targeted converted Jews, known as conversos or “New Christians,” suspected of secretly maintaining Jewish practices.

Broader Historical Significance

The Alhambra Decree represents a pivotal moment in Spanish history, as it underlines the tensions between religious orthodoxy and diversity. It also serves as an early example of state-enforced ethnic cleansing, contributing to an understanding of religious and ethnic intolerance in European history. The decree was formally revoked over four centuries later in 1968, emblematic of Spain’s evolving relationship with its historical legacy.