What was the Inquisition?

• A. A Campaign to Reform Church Doctrine
• B. A Campaign to Root Out Heresy Among Converts From Judaism and Islam
• C. A Crusade Against Reformers
• D. A Religious Festival

Answer: (B)

The Inquisition was a church-led effort to enforce Catholic orthodoxy by identifying and punishing beliefs considered heretical. In the Iberian context, a key target was people who had converted from Judaism or Islam—known as Conversos and Moriscos—suspected of secretly maintaining their former faiths. Through investigations and trials, the Inquisition sought to uncover concealed practices and beliefs, often leading to penalties, exile, or even execution. This focus on policing converts from Judaism and Islam best fits what the Inquisition was doing, whereas the other options describe reform efforts, anti-reform campaigns, or a festival, which don’t match its purpose and methods.