Chapter 2

The Hispanic Background

The following material is designed to help you sort out the major themes and important information in our textbook Benjamin Keen, A History of Latin America, 5^th ed. (Boston: Houghton Mifflin Company, 1996). You will be quizzed over this material in class. Also use this information as a study guide to prepare for the exam.

Learning Objectives

After you have read and studied Chapter 2, you should be able to:

1. Discuss the Hispanic institutions, traditions, and values that shaped the future of Latin America.
2. Explain the influence of the Reconquest in shaping Spain's economic, social, and political structures.
3. Outline the positive and negative aspects of the reign of Ferdinand and Isabella.
4. Describe the errors of Hapsburg policy that led to the decay and decline of Spain.

Chapter Summary

The chapter opens by noting the successive waves of invaders of Spain, culminating with the Moors, and the impact of each of these invasions on Spanish society and culture. The discussion then turns to the process of the Reconquest; 'the leadership of Castile in that process; the ways in which the Reconquest influenced Castilian economic, political, and social development; and the marked differences between Castile and the other major Spanish kingdom, Aragon. The critically important reign of Ferdinand and Isabella is then explored, including its positive and negative aspects. Finally, the disastrous results of Hapsburg domestic and foreign policies are described, followed by a brief survey of Spanish arts and letters in the Siglo de Oro.

Identification Terms

Be sure that you are able to identify and explain the historical significance of each of each of these terms from this chapter.

Copyright © Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved. This material is presented as a study guide exclusively for the use of students in Latin American History at Illinois State University. Please direct any questions to Marc Becker at mbecker@ilstu.edu.