What were the effects of the Almohad conquest on Muslim-Christian relations?

The Almohad conquest significantly strained Muslim-Christian relations, leading to increased hostility and religious intolerance.

The Almohad conquest, which took place in the 12th century, had a profound impact on the relationship between Muslims and Christians in the Iberian Peninsula. The Almohads, a Berber Muslim dynasty from North Africa, were known for their strict interpretation of Islam and intolerance towards other religions. This was a stark contrast to the relatively tolerant attitude of the previous Muslim rulers in Spain, the Almoravids.

The Almohads' strict religious policies led to a significant deterioration in Muslim-Christian relations. They imposed harsh restrictions on Christians and Jews, including forced conversions to Islam, destruction of churches and synagogues, and the imposition of discriminatory taxes. These policies led to a mass exodus of Christians and Jews from Almohad territories, further deepening the divide between the two religious communities.

The Almohad conquest also had a significant impact on the political landscape of the Iberian Peninsula. The increased hostility between Muslims and Christians led to a series of wars known as the Reconquista, in which Christian kingdoms in the north of the peninsula sought to reclaim territories lost to the Muslims. These wars, which lasted for several centuries, further exacerbated tensions between the two religious communities.

Moreover, the Almohad conquest had a lasting impact on the cultural and intellectual life of the Iberian Peninsula. The Almohads' intolerance towards other religions led to the decline of the multicultural society that had flourished under the Almoravids. This included the loss of the so-called 'Convivencia', a period of relative peace and cultural exchange between Muslims, Christians, and Jews.

In conclusion, the Almohad conquest had a profound and lasting impact on Muslim-Christian relations in the Iberian Peninsula. Their strict religious policies and intolerance towards other religions led to increased hostility and religious intolerance, which had lasting political, social, and cultural consequences.