Starting in the 15th century, and running for over three hundred years, the Spanish Inquisition tried and punished non-believers of Catholicism.
Two centuries after the Inquisition ended, it continues to cast a dark shadow over Spain.
Researchers examined thousands of trial records, including trial locations, birth places, and residences of the accused. Places where the Inquisition was strong are currently poorer, more religious, less educated, and less trusting, compared to those in which it was weak. The trials were suspicious of the educated and literate. It impacted Spain’s cultural, scientific, and intellectual development. It sowed mistrust amongst people because any one could potentially report you to the Church. Researchers also found that the greater the persecution in a location, the greater the level of church attendance today.
Did the Inquisition deliberately target the poor? Unlikely. Inquisitors had to confiscate property and impose fines to pay for expenses. Rich communities were targeted.
The Inquisition is one of many examples throughout history where States have used religious persecution as a tool to control people. The scars live on, centuries after it ended.
Original article:
Extraordinarily, the effects of the Spanish Inquisition linger to this day
Original study:
The long-run effects of religious persecution: Evidence from the Spanish Inquisition