All remaining Jews are expelled from Spain when the Alhambra Decree takes effect.
The Alhambra Decree, also known as the Edict of Expulsion, was a royal decree issued on March 31, 1492, by the Catholic Monarchs of Spain, King Ferdinand II of Aragon and Queen Isabella I of Castile. The decree ordered the expulsion of all practicing Jews from the Kingdoms of Castile and Aragon and their territories by July 31, 1492.
The primary reasons behind the decree were religious and political. Ferdinand and Isabella aimed to consolidate their power and create religious and social unity within their newly unified Spanish kingdom, which was part of their broader efforts to complete the Reconquista and solidify Catholicism in Spain. The decree was also influenced by the fear that Jews who had converted to Christianity (conversos) were secretly practicing Judaism and influencing other conversos to do the same.
The decree gave Jews the choice to convert to Christianity or leave the country. Those who chose to leave were forced to sell their property at a loss and could only take what they could carry. Many Jews who left Spain settled in the Ottoman Empire, North Africa, and other parts of Europe.
The Alhambra Decree had a significant impact on Spanish society and economy, as the expelled Jews were often well-integrated and played vital roles in various economic and cultural sectors. The decree was formally revoked on December 16, 1968, by the Second Vatican Council.