Fear of reprisal against Christians abroad softened Portugal’s treatment of Muslims

Evidence

This Machiavellian line of reasoning should not be forgotten when in chapter 9 we come to look at the ways in which the expulsion of the Moriscos was put into effect in the period 1609–14 under the different conditions of that later age. In terms of global strategy the Christian nations of the Iberian Peninsula at the end of the fifteenth century felt, vis-a-vis the Islamic world, that they were potentially vulnerable, but by the time the Edicts of Expulsion were eventually put into effect the combined kingdoms of Spain and Portugal were immeasurably wealthier and more powerful than any of the Islamic powers of the early seventeenth century. Fear of reprisals no longer held Christian policymakers back in the way that it had done 112 years earlier. — <cite>L. P. Harvey, Muslims in Spain, 1500 to 1614, 128</cite> (#corroborates`, via linked claim)

Categorization

  • corroborated: 2 independent passages support this claim
  • XREF: connects to: Christian policy toward Muslims shifted once Iberian monarchs no longer feared Islamic reprisals — L. P. Harvey, Muslims in Spain, 1500 to 1614, 128; Fear of retaliation tempered Portugal’s expulsion of Muslims compared to Jews.; Fear of reprisals on Christians abroad had previously held back family-breaking expulsions — L. P. Harvey, Muslims in Spain, 1500 to 1614, 1355 (+1 more)

Broader Connections