This course explores a pivotal turning point in Iberian Jewish history, beginning with the violent attacks of 1391 that devastated Jewish communities and forced mass conversions to Christianity. These converts, known as Conversos or anusim—lived between identities, often maintaining Jewish practices in secret. Participants will examine the social, religious, and political consequences of these events, including the expulsions of 1492 and 1497 and the rise of the Spanish and Portuguese Inquisitions. Finally, the course offers insight into the resilience of hidden Jewish communities and the lasting impact of persecution, identity, and survival in early modern Spain and Portugal.
Optional Reading: Secret Jews: The Complex Identity of Crypto-Jews and Crypto-Judaism, Juan Marcos Bejarano Gutierrez