The Golden Age of Spain, 1474–1598 - 4 The campaign for orthodoxy,…

The idea

The rebellion in Granada (1568–71) was significant because it challenged Spanish authority and required a costly military campaign to suppress. Repression was difficult due to the mountainous terrain, guerrilla tactics and the rebels' local knowledge. The revolt caused economic damage: destruction of crops, disruption of trade and heavy military expenditure. Loss of life was severe, with thousands of Moriscos and Christians killed, and many Moriscos enslaved or deported. The rebellion thus had lasting demographic and economic consequences for Spain.

What earns the marks

• Explains the significance of the rebellion: it was a major internal challenge to Philip II's authority and religious uniformity.
• Analyses the difficulty of repression: mountainous terrain, guerrilla warfare, and the need for troops diverted from other fronts.
• Assesses economic damage: destruction of agriculture, disruption of trade, and the cost of maintaining a large army.
• Evaluates loss of life: high casualties among rebels and soldiers, and the subsequent expulsion or enslavement of Moriscos.
• Shows how these impacts affected Spain: weakened economy, demographic loss, and a legacy of religious intolerance.

Common mistakes and how to put them right

• Underestimating the difficulty of repression.

  Put it right: The terrain and guerrilla tactics made it a prolonged and costly conflict.

• Focusing only on loss of life.

  Put it right: Economic damage was also significant, including destruction of infrastructure and trade.

• Assuming the rebellion was quickly crushed.

  Put it right: It took over two years to suppress, with major military effort.

Exam tips

• Use specific examples: the Battle of the Alpujarras, the role of Don John of Austria, and the scale of casualties.
• Link economic and human impacts to the broader Spanish context: the cost of empire and religious policies.
• Analyse significance by considering short-term and long-term effects.