Dona Juana's Rise To Power

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Isabella was born on April 22, 1451 to Juan II King of Castile and Isabella of Portugal. Her father died when she was three years old and her brother Enrique took the throne. When growing up Isabella received a high level of education, and was mostly cared for by her mother. When the time came for her to get married Enrique insisted she marry Alfonso V, however this is not was Isabella wanted and when Enrique threatened to imprison her. Instead she fled and married Fernando II of Argon on October 19, 1469. Enrique died in 1474 leaving Isabella the queen of Castile. Isabella ruled Castile with Fernando from 1474 to 1504; and I believe that she was an independent, transformational, task oriented leader that shattered the standard for women during her rein. Although Fernando and Isabella ruled as a team it was very clear she was a strong leader who had her own ideas and was not afraid to voice or act based on her wishes. One reason she had this unwavering confidence in her right to rule Castile was of the royal linage that she was descendant from. When her brother Enrique passed away Isabella’s presumed half-sister (historians are not sure if they were actually sisters or not) Dona Juana thought she had a right to the crown and rebelled. Dona was married to the king of Portugal, …show more content…

Isabella’s reign proved how false this was and set an example for women to follow, which I think qualifies her a transactional leader. She illustrated how a women could challenge the gender norms, be an effective leader, and still fulfill the women roles they wanted to. Isabella had five children and a husband, but that did not stop her from being a strong leader of Castile. In the Marriage Concessions that she and Fernando interacted during their ruling period it was clear that she was just as important in the ruling process regardless of her gender. For example article twelve

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