• Original influences, then the Visigoth Invasion. Visigoth influences, particularly to the royal families of the different Christian regions of Spain, are a major component in the formation of the mindset of the Reconquista.
• The amount and general spread of the Christian kingdoms and how this allowed the Moorish invasion to be successful. Also, how the initial reaction of the Christian Kingdoms – allowing the Moorish rulers to take power as long as they were able to still be in seats of power themselves, trying to marry into the Moorish courts, paying tithes/tributes to be able to rule – kept the Moors in place.
• The change of mindset in the Christian Kingdoms, the call for “reconquest”, how the Christian aspect played a large role, the changes in the Church that allowed this, etc.
• Castile’s growth and eventual domination of the Spanish part of the peninsula. The rule of Castile and odd growth of the kingdom – how weak it was in terms of finances from the start, and the trials it faced as it grew and took over much of the land of the Moors. At the same time, their style of rule allowed for the eventual solidification of the peninsula into one country. (Details of this featured in Spain’s Centuries of Crisis)
• Aragon’s conquests in Valencia and set up of the kingdom itself. The primarily autonomous rule of the regions within the kingdom (i.e. Valencia and Barcelona) and how this lead to Aragon’s eventual demise of sorts – or at least a demise of their power. Also, why they could not expand as far as Castile, nor maintain the strong rule necessary to keep power. (These are featured mostly in primary sources as well as Spain’s Centuries of Crisis)
• Navarre: the slow shrinking of a once major power and kingdom in Spain. (? Include or not?)
• Portugal’s formation and Spain’s lack of it. (? Include or not?)
• Castile and Aragon: main players in much of Spain’s history towards the beginning and the end of the Reconquista, also bitter rivals during most of it (which is still felt today.) Main discord between them: national policy, language, how they worked together on the battlefield, etc.
• The eventual finish of the Reconquista and Spain’s solidification into one country; Isabella and Ferdinand’s rule in particular finished this, but also need to explain the lead up to this and how their ancestors and kingdoms gave them this opportunity.

• Initial invasion into the Iberian Peninsula, their feelings towards it, the riches gained by said conquest.
• Original treatment of the Spanish Christian kingdoms, allowing most to maintain their own religions and beliefs. How some rules were enforced and others were not, etc.
• How Spain was viewed to the Moorish kings/princes/etc, paradise of sorts, amount of water and farmland, how this endeared the Moors to the land and strengthened their rule.
• Types of culture and farming, how this maintained their wealth and power within the Iberian lands.
• The change in rulers and enforcement of rules – how the reactions of the Christian kingdoms both influenced this and also caused it.
• Reactions to the sudden growing problem of Christian reconquest and how this was felt around the Moorish/Islamic World.
• Portugal driving out the Moors and how this affected everything else. (?)
• The growing discord between the kingdoms within Spain and the kingdoms outside of Spain – this caused the eventual slow inward collapse of the Moorish powers and hold on their rule of the land. How having to pay tithes to the Christian kingdoms to remain affected their power, and how they were treated as they were slowly expulsed from the country, etc.