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Wars of Religion. Libertyville HS. Why did wars of religion break out, across Europe?. 1520s-30s: Protestant religion was spreading, causing concern amongst Catholics Peasant revolts in HRE, France
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Wars of Religion Libertyville HS
Why did wars of religion break out, across Europe? • 1520s-30s: Protestant religion was spreading, causing concern amongst Catholics • Peasant revolts in HRE, France • Catholic rulers took opportunity to crack down on Protestant subjects, strengthen own power (esp. vs. nobility)
Wars of Religion: France • France about 92% Catholic • French Protestants (Huguenots) about 8%, but concentrated in important parts of France • Cities • Merchants, professionals = middle class • Some nobility converted • King was young, weak; nobles families were strong • Queen Catherine de Medici = regent; tried to keep all sides balanced, politically Huguenots, imprisoned for their faith
Wars of Religion: France • War started in 1562 with Catholic-led army attacking Protestant church service, killing everyone they could • Started 40 years of war, bloodshed • Political question of war: Who was going to rule, King or nobles?
Wars of Religion: France • St. Bartholomew’s Massacre (1572) • Royal (Catholic) forces hunt down, execute 3000 protestants in one day • Over next 3 days, 20,000 more protestants executed across France
Wars of Religion: France • Significance of Massacre • Protestants stop viewing Catholic Church as misguided but instead as force of the Devil • No longer fighting for reformed church; fighting for survival! • Protestants become militant, buying weapons, etc. • Protestants want REVENGE!
Wars of Religion: France • Edict of Nantes (1598) • Protestant, Henry of Navarre, becomes King of France (Henry IV) • Converts to Catholicism, saying “Paris is worth the price of a Mass” • Henry IV declared the Edict of Nantes, granting Protestants rights • Worship publicly • Occupy public office • Be admitted to school / university • Administer own towns
Wars of Religion: Spain • Philip II • became king, ruled from 1556-1598 • Zealous Catholic, defender of the church • Spent his rule trying to stop Protestantism and reverse its gains
Wars of Religion: Spain • Spain’s greatest success was against Muslims, at battle of Lepanto (1571) • Netherlands Rebellion • Possession of Spain • Turned Calvinist, rebelled • Rebellion lasted 25 years; Spain eventually lost Netherlands
Wars of Religion: Spain • Spain’s Invasion of England (1587-88) • Why did Spain want to attack England? • Elizabeth I authorized attacks on Spanish treasure ships • English alliances with French Protestants (Huguenots) & Netherlands • England sent weapons, troops, money to Netherlands • English executed Mary, Queen of Scots (Catholic) • Elizabeth was Protestant ruler!
Wars of Religion: Spain • Spanish Armada (1588) • Philip sent 130 ships, 25k troops to attack England • Dutch, English fleet defeated Spanish, forcing them around England & Ireland • Defeat of Armada was a huge boost in morale for Protestants
Thirty Years War, 1618-1648 • Causes of war • Peace of Augsburg (1555) • Ended fighting in HRE that had started with spread of Lutheranism • HRE rulers could choose religion of state • No recognition of Calvinism • France felt threatened by Hapsburg family • Hapsburg ruler in Spain • Hapsburg ruler of Austria & HRE! • Spain was anti-Protestant • Sweden, Denmark wanted control of German Baltic states
The 30 Years’ War (1618-1648) • Immediate cause of war: Defenestration of Prague • First “world war” of Europe • Catholic Forces included Austria, Spain, Bavaria, Hungary, Catholic League • Protestant forces included Sweden, Bohemia, Denmark-Norway, Dutch Republic, Saxony, Palatinate, England, Brandenburg-Prussia, Transylvania • France
The 30 Years’ War (1618-1648) • War fought mainly in HRE, destroying the land & economy • Estimated population loss of HRE was 33%, including 50% of male population • Disease, starvation were greatest killers of non-combatants (peasants)
Thirty Years’ War, 1618-1648 • Treaty of Westphalia • Ended war • Affirmed that every state’s ruler within HRE could decided his state’s religion • Recognized Calvinism’s right to exist • Other effects of 30 Years’ War • Showed Spain’s weakness • France became dominant European power • Established modern European state, with national armies (not mercenaries)