Convivencia
March 21, 2010.

Convivencia means "coexistence" in Spanish, and refers to the medieval period in Spain, from the 8th through the 15th centuries, during which Jews and Christians lived peacefully, as protected populations, under Muslim rule.

It was just before Columbus' journey, in 1492, that the last Muslim ruler in Spain capitulated to Christian rule. The Catholic monarchs, Ferdinand and Isabella, were quick to wrap up the work of the Inquisition by expelling all Jews from the kingdom.

Muslims did not fare any better; those who were not exiled were forced to convert. The Muslim population had effectively vanished in Spain by the end of the 16th century.