Social Studies 8 Chapter 9 Spain Looks Westward Social Studies 8 Chapter 9

C9 Spain looks Westward The Inquiry Question for all of Chapter 9 is: What elements of a society’s worldview might lead to a desire to create an empire?

Section 1- Geography and Religion The Inquiry Question for section 1 is: How might the location of a country influence it’s religious experience?

Section 1- Geography and Religion Read the opening paragraphs of pg 194. And look at fig. 9-2. (next slide) The Spanish have a saying – “Geography controls everything”. How might the geographic location of Spain and Portugal account for them being the only part of western Europe in the Islamic Empire?

Section 1- Geography and Religion This diagram illustrates the Aztec social structure (page 172) How similar is this to the European social structure before the enlightenment?

Section 1- Geography and Religion Spain of the Middle Ages: Almost all of Spain was Christian by the 1400s. In 711 a Muslim force led by Tarique ibn-Ziyad conquered Spain & Portugal and built a large mosque in Cordoba. For five hundred years Spain remained part of the Islamic empire.

Section 1- Geography and Religion Life and Society in Spain: The Arab Islamic world was part of the largest economic trading zone in the world at this time. Many goods and ideas were exchanged between cultures during this time. Muslim rulers and wealthy merchants supported the arts. Music, art and architecture reflected Muslim values.

Section 1- Geography and Religion Education & Religious Tolerance in Spain: Learning was highly valued in Muslim society. Many cities in Muslim Spain became centers of learning. (Cordoba, Seville, Granada)

Section 1- Geography and Religion Like their medieval scholars in Europe, Islamic scholars studied and discussed medicine and science. They knew much more about natural sciences than the Europeans. Muslim Spain was a relatively tolerant of other religions at this time. See quote bottom pg 197.

Section 1- Geography and Religion The Spanish Reconquista By the early 1000’s (1 thousand years after Christ) the area controlled by Islamic rulers began to decline. Ineffective leadership and quarrelling among Muslim leaders lead to disunity and eventually the loss of land. Christians in Spain had been relegated to the coast. Now they began to expand.

Section 1- Geography and Religion Their war was based on religious differences as well as the desire to expand. The Spanish developed a new way of fighting during the war. By grouping soldiers in a tight unit all using the same weapons they were very difficult to overcome. The Spanish brought this fighting style to the Americas where they met the Aztecs.

Section 1- Geography and Religion