Description
Andalusia: Inquisition and Various Histories
Book summary
This essay offers a critical and refreshing look at the history of Andalusia during the Early Modern period. The reader will find an in-depth analysis of the formation of the Andalusian territory, the social impact of the Inquisition on daily life, and the region's complex historical memories. Through complementary studies, the work addresses transgressive experiences on the Portuguese border and the lives of Andalusian emigrants under the Franco regime, offering a demystifying vision that invites a rethinking of the political uses of the past.
What is it about?
Manuel Peña examines the process of Andalusia's territorial configuration in the 16th and 17th centuries, unraveling the political and social dynamics that defined it. The book focuses heavily on the functioning of the Inquisition as an institution that shaped daily life, beliefs, and power relations. Furthermore, it delves into social history through two unique perspectives: practices of transgression on the Spanish-Portuguese border and the experience of Andalusians who emigrated to Catalonia during the Franco regime, under the hegemony of Catalanism. The work concludes with a series of reflections on how the history of Andalusia has been constructed, used, and, at times, distorted.
Main themes
- Territorial formation and identity of Andalusia in the Early Modern period
- Social and cultural functioning of the Spanish Inquisition
- Historical memory and political uses of the Andalusian past
- Transgression and daily life on the border with Portugal
- Andalusian emigration and identity relations during the Franco regime
Who is it recommended for?
This book is intended for students and researchers of modern history, regional history, and social sciences, as well as readers interested in a critical and demystifying approach to Andalusia's past. It is especially useful for those seeking to understand the impact of repressive institutions on society and the complexities of regional identity construction.
What this book contributes
- A refreshing analysis that challenges traditional and simplified views of Andalusian history.
- A detailed understanding of how the Inquisition influenced social and cultural life beyond mere repression.
- Little-explored perspectives, such as cross-border transgression and Andalusian emigration in the 20th century.
- Critical reflections on the manipulation of historical memory for political or identity purposes.
Technical specifications
- Author: Peña Díaz, Manuel
- Publisher: Servicio de Publicaciones de la Universidad de Huelva
- Language: Spanish
- Topic: History, Regional and national history, Early modern history: c.1450/1500-c. 1700, Social and cultural history, Christian institutions and organizations
- Collection: ARIAS MONTANO
- Binding: Paperback
- Publication date: March 2013
- Number of pages: 312
- Weight: 771 g
Editorial review
Andalucía: Inquisición y Varia Historia presents itself as a work of historiographical maturity that combines academic rigor with a desire for critical dissemination. Its main value lies in the ability to connect classic themes, such as the Inquisition, with novel approaches that broaden the understanding of Andalusian history. It is a recommended title for those who wish to go beyond official narratives and explore the contradictions and nuances of a complex past, offering tools to understand current debates on identity and memory in the region.