Social issues and policies: the nobility, the peasantry, urban communities and the Church
Ferdinand and Isabella managed four distinct social groups to strengthen royal power. They rewarded, restricted, or reformed each group depending on how useful or threatening it was to the crown.
Real World
Isabella's reform of the Castilian Church — appointing loyalist bishops like Cardinal Cisneros — mirrors how modern governments place trusted allies in key institutional roles to extend political control without direct confrontation.
Exam Focus
Distinguish between each social group's treatment; examiners reward candidates who avoid generalising 'all groups were controlled equally'.
Essay Framework
Use PEEL to structure every paragraph. Tap each step for guidance and an example.
How well did you know this?