What was the purpose of the Inquisition in Spain?

The Inquisition in Spain primarily served the purpose of finding and judging heretics. Established in the late 15th century, particularly after the unification of Spain under Ferdinand and Isabella, the Spanish Inquisition aimed to maintain Catholic orthodoxy in their kingdoms. Its focus was on identifying individuals, including converts from Judaism and Islam, who were suspected of secretly practicing their former faiths. The Inquisition utilized various methods, including interrogations and trials, to root out heretics, often leading to severe punishments.

This effort was a significant aspect of the broader Catholic Reformation, which sought to consolidate power and enforce religious conformity within Spain. The Inquisition was not concerned with promoting trade, recruiting explorers, or establishing peace treaties, as those pursuits did not align with its primary religious and ideological goals. Instead, it focused on enforcing loyalty to the Catholic Church and the monarchs by eliminating dissent and ensuring that all subjects adhered to the same religious beliefs.