Question

What was Reconquista, and how did it lead to a new way of thinking about Spanish identity?

Answer 1

Reconquista was a period of time (711-1492) in which Christian forces battled to recapture the Iberian peninsula from Islamic rule. During Reconquista, there was a new way of thinking about Spanish identity. This included the rise of national sentiment and a sense of cultural unity across the region. This was manifested through the use of Castilian language, common laws and customs, and devotion to a common faith. Ultimately, Reconquista sparked a new Spanish identity that would shape the country for centuries to come.