answersLogoWhite

0


Best Answer

In 1492 the Jews and Muslims still in Spain were ordered to leave the country. (Some converted to Christianity, but they were regarded with suspicion and many were tortured.) Most exiles went to initially Portugal (which eventually had its own expulsion in 1497), areas in Italy and Naples (which would fall under Spanish authority shortly afterward), and North Africa. A large number of exiles came eventually to the Ottoman empire under Sultan Bayezid II, its leader.

Sultan Bayezid II wished to welcome the fleeing Jews, saying that Kings Ferdinand & Isabella acted unwisely on losing such valuable citizens and that it would be Turkey's gain. He issued a firman or direct order that Jews and Muslims fleeing Andalusia would be permitted settlement anywhere in his empire and those who refused to allow such settlement would be strongly reprimanded. Many of the Jews expelled from Spain settled in various parts of the Ottoman Empire, including Palestine (Israel) and North Africa such as parts of Tunisia.

The Ottoman Sultan also sent a naval fleet under the command of Admiral Kemal Reis (uncle to famed Admiral Piri Reis) to Andalusia several times between 1490 and 1492 in order to help evacuate Jews and Muslims from southern Spain. These voyages led to Jews in the Ottoman Empire being placed primarily in the cities of Salonika (now Thessaloniki, Greece), Constantinople (now Istanbul, Turkey), and Smyrna (now Izmir, Turkey). In fact, by the 17th century, Jews formed the majority of Salonika's population. However, most Jews who arrived in the Ottoman Empire traveled at their own expense.

The Jews and Muslims of Spain were provided safe haven and religious freedom in the Ottoman Empire. Over time, more and more Jews moved to Istanbul as it was the capital of the Ottoman Empire. They prospered and lived there until the formation of Israel at which time most moved to Israel. 14,500 Jews still live in Istanbul today.

Morocco under the Wattasids also accepted a large Jewish and Muslim emigrant population from Andalusia, with large Jewish communities being established in Fez and Meknes.

There was also a less significant percentage of the population which fled to the Latin American colonies, but did not organize into active communities because the Inquisition was active in Latin America as well.

Anecdote:

My grandfather arrived in New York in 1911, from Smyrna (Izmir), Turkey, speaking Ladino, the Jewish dialect of Spanish. My ancestors were Spanish and I will try to trace the family back to Spain, a daunting task.

Discussion on Whether Sultan Bayezid II Actually Sent Ships to Spain

Whether ships were actually sent to take Spanish exiles requires clarification. As we clearly have sources showing how much suffering was endured by the exiles on their fleeing Spain to all kinds of destinations, it seems a misrepresentation & simplification to state that all the exiles were taken on ships by the Turks to Turkey. I have examined some of the sources for this too-rosy idealisation of Turkish activities, and they all seem to be Turkish materials; clearly a case of "propaganda" by people who which to exaggerate Turkish tolerance of the Jews.

I have made some inquiries with academics in the field, asking them to explain to what extent were there actually some Turkish ships that were specifically sent to aid the Jews' departure from Spain in 1492- how many ships, etc. & on whose directions. I suspect that there may have been some- but with probably private interests & that the passengers had to pay for their passage in full... and that there was no large-scale extracting of the exiles by Turkish fleets (hundreds of thousands) by the tolerant Turks (though instructions were given to treat arriving exiles properly), most of whom initially went to other places and only later came to the Ottoman empire.

User Avatar

Wiki User

10y ago
This answer is:
User Avatar
More answers
User Avatar

Anonymous

Lvl 1
3y ago

Prior to 1492, Spain had a large Jewish minority. In 1492, Ferdinand and Isabella gave Jews a simple choicd: Convert to Christianity or leave (and leave most of your money behind). Huge numbers of Jews left. They fled to North Africa (Morocco, Algeria, Tunesia, Egypt), the Ottoman Empire (Palestine, Turkey, Greece and the Balkans), and Venice. Those who fled to Portugal were expelled out after just a few years. Some fled north to Amsterdam and Germany. Some fled West to the Dutch colonies in the New World. Some of the involuntary converts fled into Mexico and other Spanish colonies, hoping that by fleeing to the frontier they would be able to return to free practice of Judaism.

This answer is:
User Avatar

Add your answer:

Earn +20 pts
Q: Why did Jews leave Spain Where did they go?
Write your answer...
Submit
Still have questions?
magnify glass
imp
Related questions

Why did Jews and Muslims leave Spain in 1492?

because..................


Why did Jews leave Spain during the middle age?

They were expelled from the kingdom!


5 What effect did the Catholic Church have on Jews in Spain?

It threw them out in 1492. The Catholics had pushed the last Muslims out of Spain in January 1492. They then gave the Jews until the end of July to leave Spain.


Where did many Jews expelled from Spain where did they go?

They did not need to flee. Spain was never occupied, nor did it have to surrender its Jews.


By 1492 all Jews had been forced to leave what country in the Iberian Peninsula?

Spain


What did Queen Isabella take during the unification of Spain?

She made The Jews became catholic or made them leave the country


What action did Queen Isabella take during the unification of Spain?

She made The Jews became catholic or made them leave the country


Did Spain ever make the Jewish people leave Spain?

Yes, but not as an exclusive option. The Edict of 1492 stated that the Jews of Spain could (1) convert to Catholicism, (2) flee from Spain, or (3) be summarily executed by the state.


Why did the Jews leave Spain?

Because around that time being a Jews were considered heretics and would be thought of as helpers of the devil. They would then torture them, without spilling blood until they died or confessed. Once confessed they burned then at the stake as they thought the more pain it would cleanse their soul and they could go to heaven.


Why were Jewish community's able to flourish in Spain?

Because the Muslim who conquered Spain in 711were tolerant of both Jews and christian. so the Jews can flourish in Spain and developing their culture, so Jews didn't have to worry about begging prececuted.


Why did the Jews leave their homeland and go to Germany?

because they faced persecution in their own countries.


Where did the surname Villeda came from?

The surname Villeda came from Spain. It is Sephardic, meaning it is a surname used by descendants of Jews who lived in Spain and Portugal before 1492. In that year, the king and queen of Spain required that the Jews convert to Christianity or to leave Spain. Many left and scattered throughout the Mediterranean area, to the Netherlands and other parts of northern Europe, and to the American colonies of Spain and eventually to North America as well.