The Inquisition was a group of institutions within the Catholic Church tasked with identifying and punishing heresy. Established in the 12th century, it operated primarily in Europe and the Americas. Its most infamous branch, the Spanish Inquisition, began in 1478 and lasted for over 350 years. Structured Breakdown: Origins and Purpose: Establishment: Initiated in the 12th century to combat heretical movements like the Cathars and Waldensians. Function: Aimed to maintain religious unity by identifying and prosecuting individuals accused of heresy. Spanish Inquisition: Founding: Started in 1478 by Catholic Monarchs Ferdinand II and Isabella I to ensure Catholic orthodoxy among recent converts from Judaism and Islam. Methods: Employed tribunals, interrogations, and sometimes torture to extract confessions. Duration: Operated until its abolition in 1834. Activities in the Americas: Expansion: As Spain colonized the Americas, the Inquisition extended its reach, establishing tribunals in regions like Mexico and Peru. Cultural Impact: In 1562, Friar Diego de Landa conducted an inquisition in the Yucatán Peninsula, leading to the burning of Maya codices and religious icons, aiming to eradicate indigenous beliefs. Witch Trials: Scope: Contrary to popular belief, the Spanish Inquisition was generally skeptical of witchcraft accusations, often considering them superstitions. Notable Case: The Logroño witch trials (1609–1614) led to several executions, but such events were relatively rare in Spain compared to other European countries. Verification of Existing Knowledge: "They took over the Mayans": While the Inquisition didn't directly conquer the Maya, it played a significant role in suppressing their indigenous beliefs. Friar Diego de Landa's actions in 1562, including the burning of Maya texts, exemplify this suppression. "Burned witches": The Inquisition did prosecute individuals for witchcraft, but in Spain, such cases were less common. The Spanish Inquisition often viewed witchcraft accusations with skepticism, focusing more on heresy related to converted Jews and Muslims. EN.WIKIPEDIA.ORG TL;DR Summary: The Inquisition was a Catholic Church institution established to identify and punish heresy. It extended to the Americas, where it suppressed indigenous practices, notably burning Maya texts in 1562. While it did prosecute alleged witches, the Spanish Inquisition was generally skeptical of witchcraft accusations, focusing more on heresy among converted Jews and Muslims. Latest Information Date: February 27, 2025 Further Resources: Books: God's Jury: The Inquisition and the Making of the Modern World by Cullen Murphy The Spanish Inquisition: A Historical Revision by Henry Kamen Articles: Inquisition – Spanish, Roman & Torture | HISTORY Spanish Inquisition – Wikipedia Explain Like I’m 5 (ELI5): Imagine a group of people who want everyone to believe the same things about their religion. If someone believes differently, this group tries to make them change their mind. A long time ago, they even burned books and punished people they thought were doing magic or following other religions. This group was called the Inquisition.