HISTORY This Week Convert or Leave
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Jul 27, 2020 In this engaging discussion, Jonathan Ray, a Jewish studies professor at Georgetown University and author of "After Expulsion," delves into the harrowing events surrounding the 1492 expulsion of Jews from Spain. He explores the Spanish Inquisition's dual role of enforcing Catholic orthodoxy and sowing suspicion among converts. Listeners learn about the economic motivations behind Jews' earlier welcome, the challenges faced by conversos, and the lasting impact on identity and assimilation that resonates in today's immigration debates. A thought-provoking journey into a pivotal moment in history!
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Thriving Yet Vulnerable Jewish Communities
- Late medieval Spain housed some of Europe's most vibrant Jewish communities integrated into commerce and urban life.
- Economic value and royal protection delayed expulsions even as tensions and prejudice simmered.
Chaos During the Last Months
- Some Jews hurriedly baptized to save homes while others sold belongings and fled to the border with only a few possessions.
- Stories include captains overcharging or throwing refugees overboard and attackers killing those trying to escape.
Economic Integration Breeds Resentment
- Medieval rulers invited Jewish merchants to boost trade and city economies because they connected to wider Mediterranean networks.
- That economic role later fed resentment, competition, and stereotyped accusations of greed.
