Final answer:
The Reconquista of the Iberian Peninsula by the Spanish was both a military and religious action, driven by the desire to reclaim territories from Muslim rule and establish Christianity.
Step-by-step explanation:
For the Spanish, reconquering the Iberian Peninsula was indeed a military and religious action. This prolonged campaign, known as the Reconquista, spanned over several centuries and involved both political and religious motivations.
Militarily, the Spanish kingdoms sought to regain control over the territories that had been conquered by Muslim forces during the early medieval period. Over time, these Christian kingdoms gradually pushed back the Muslim rulers, reclaiming one region after another through warfare and conquest.
Religiously, the Reconquista was driven by the desire to establish and spread Christianity throughout the entire Iberian Peninsula. The Spanish rulers saw the Muslims as infidels and aimed to convert, or sometimes even expel, them from the land. This religious fervor was a significant factor in the motivation and justification for the reconquest.