In 1609, King Philip III of Spain issued a decree to expel the Moriscos from the Kingdom of Valencia. The Moriscos were descendants of Muslim Iberians who had converted to Christianity, yet many were suspected of secretly practicing their original faith. They were seen as a potential threat to the Catholic monarchy, especially in light of ongoing tensions in Europe and the Near East regarding Islamic influence. The Moriscos' presence in Spain had already been contentious, as they were often marginalized and distrusted by the predominantly Catholic population. The issue intensified following the Reconquista, during which Christians sought to eliminate Muslim influence from Spain.

The decree was enacted in stages, beginning with the announcement that all Moriscos in Valencia were to be expelled. Local authorities were tasked with implementing the decree and ensuring that Moriscos left their homes. The process was often violent, leading to numerous conflicts and tragic scenarios where families were torn apart. The Moriscos were forcibly removed, and many faced severe hardships as they were relocated to North Africa or other regions. The expulsion resulted in the loss of a significant part of the agricultural workforce in Valencia, causing economic disruption in what had been a vibrant farming region.

The expulsion of the Moriscos was one of the largest forced migrations in the early modern period, significantly impacting both the communities left behind and those displaced. Historian estimates suggest that around 300,000 Moriscos were affected. The root causes of the expulsion were deeply interwoven with issues of national identity, religious zeal, and the political climate of Spain at the time, laying foundations for future relations between Christians and Muslims in the region. The decree not only exemplified the pressures of conformity in early modern Europe but also highlighted the complex social fabric of Spanish society, which was struggling to define itself in an age of religious fervor and colonial expansion.