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Ugly History: The Spanish Inquisition - Kayla Wolf

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In 1478, Pope Sixtus IV issued a decree authorizing the Catholic monarchs, Ferdinand and Isabella, to root out heresy in the Spanish kingdoms. The inquisition quickly turned its attention to ridding the region of people who were not part of the Catholic Church— leading to more than 350 years of ethnic cleansing. Kayla Wolf digs into the persecution and brutality of the Spanish Inquisition.


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Meet The Creators

  • Educator Kayla Wolf
  • Director Luísa Holanda
  • Narrator Bethany Cutmore-Scott
  • Storyboard Artist Luísa Holanda
  • Animator Murilo Jardim
  • Compositor Gabriel Maia
  • Art Director Luísa Holanda
  • Music Gabriel Maia
  • Sound Designer Gabriel Maia
  • Director of Production Gerta Xhelo
  • Editorial Director Alex Rosenthal
  • Producer Bethany Cutmore-Scott
  • Editorial Producer Elizabeth Cox
  • Fact-Checker Joseph Isaac
Additional Resources for you to Explore
If you’re looking to learn more about the Spanish inquisition, check out this link to a basic understanding with dates and important players. If you’re looking for a more detailed look or have specific questions, try this e-book which includes four long volumes about the history of the Spanish Inquisition and the years leading up to it. Additionally, check out this BBC/History channel documentary on the Inquisition featuring a lot of notable Inquisition and Spanish history scholars.

Customize this lesson

Create and share a new lesson based on this one.

About TED-Ed Animations

TED-Ed Animations feature the words and ideas of educators brought to life by professional animators. Are you an educator or animator interested in creating a TED-Ed Animation? Nominate yourself here »

Meet The Creators

  • Educator Kayla Wolf
  • Director Luísa Holanda
  • Narrator Bethany Cutmore-Scott
  • Storyboard Artist Luísa Holanda
  • Animator Murilo Jardim
  • Compositor Gabriel Maia
  • Art Director Luísa Holanda
  • Music Gabriel Maia
  • Sound Designer Gabriel Maia
  • Director of Production Gerta Xhelo
  • Editorial Director Alex Rosenthal
  • Producer Bethany Cutmore-Scott
  • Editorial Producer Elizabeth Cox
  • Fact-Checker Joseph Isaac

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