Religion played a part in everything Spanish Monarchs decided on doing, how big a part is depending on the case at hand. In our text by Symcox and Sullivan it states that “This was to be a commercial enterprise. Building an empire and spreading the Gospel would come later.”[1] That leaves a little spec of doubt however in my mind that religion would be last. In all fairness these are Spanish Monarchs and with every decision there is always a reference to religion in everything they do. The service any Spanish Explorer did was always centralized around religion it just depended on what quest he was sent on or to what war he was to fight in. Especially during Columbus’s time that was spent in Spain. The Spanish Monarchs led with religion firmly on its conscience. “They also sought to increase the cultural and religious unity of their kingdoms by an attack on the minority populations of Jews and Muslims, continuing the medieval Spanish crusading tradition, the Reconquista.”[2] In reality any service that any explorer could offer or except was dealt with religiously or at least was valued by religion.
The fall of Granada in 1492 helped Columbus ultimately get what he really wanted. A deal was manifested between Ferdinand and Isabella and the infamous Christopher Columbus that would change the history of the world and give power to the strong Spanish Monarchy. The Santa Fe Capitulations requested that the King and Queen grant Columbus Governorship of the lands discovered, one-tenth of the goods discovered, and that Columbus had jurisdiction over any lawsuits.[3] This deal also granted that Columbus’s rights were hereditary and gave him the right to acquire new land in the name of the Spanish Monarchy. This deal gave the Spanish Monarchs a broader sense of power if Columbus did find the new world and do it according to plan. With this expedition the Spanish Monarchy would gain more respect and power over Portugal and this to them was very important. This trip gave them what they needed to pass Portugal in a ‘modern times’ arms race.
[2] Geoffrey Symcox and Blair Sullivan, Christopher Columbus and the Enterprise of the Indies: A Brief History with Documents. (Boston: Bedford/St. Martins 2005), p11-12
[3]Santa Fe Capitulations (April 17, 1492), in Christopher Columbus and the Enterprise of the Indies: A Brief History with Documents, eds. Geoffrey Symcox and Blair Sullivan (Boston: Bedford/St. Martin’s, 2005), 60-62.
