Final answer:
C) They contributed to the unification of Spain under Christian rule.
The Reconquista and Spanish Inquisition led to the unification of Spain under Christian rule, eliminated religious tolerance, and played key roles in the establishment of its Catholic identity and the beginning of its 'golden age' and age of exploration and conquest.
Step-by-step explanation:
The Reconquista and Spanish Inquisition significantly changed Spain by contributing to its unification under Christian rule. The Reconquista was a centuries-long effort by Christian kingdoms in the north to reclaim territories from Islamic rule, culminating in the conquest of the last Muslim kingdom of Granada in 1492. This victory solidified the religious and political landscape of the Iberian Peninsula.
The Spanish Inquisition, established by Catholic Monarchs Ferdinand and Isabella, enforced Catholic orthodoxy and eliminated religious tolerance that had previously existed in Spain. This led to the expulsion or forced conversion of Muslims and Jews. Thus, the Reconquista and the Inquisition played central roles in the emergence of Spain as a unified nation with a firmly established Catholic identity.
As a result of these events, Spain entered a 'golden age' during which it became a major imperial power, with increased commerce and industry, and began its era of exploration and conquest, looking to expand beyond the European continent.