Kellie Sarete, Group #3: 1999 Exam

1. Kellie Sarete, Group #3: 1999 Exam Thematic Essay: Discuss the relationship between politics and religion by examining the wars of Religion. Critical Trigger Words: Relationship (impacts on one another) politics (how does religion come to play) religion(how it affected politics) Wars of Religion (how pol. And rel. increased conflict) Two Step Direction Phrase: Focus on how religion and politics impacted each other causing the wars of religion to occur.

2. Introduction:

3. Introduction: The numerous personalities and rapid changes motivated the Religious Wars to occur. Two major wars that took place were the French Wars of Religion and the Thirty Years War. These wars were influenced by political and territorial ambitions. They were also rooted to religious conflict. We will be discussing how religion and politics interact with each other and how they can greatly impact one another in the French wars of Religion and Thirty Years War.

4. Body One

5. Body One: During the French Wars of Religion, the Valois family, who were Catholic, was in charge. Catherine de Mediciwas the regent for her son Charles IX. She wanted to preserve the monarchy and find allies of the protestants. Even though she was fearful of the Guises family, she cooperated with them because it was the only alternative to submit to the Protestants. Catherine began to plot with the Guises against the rising Protestants, after the Peace of Saint-Germain- en-Laye, which gave the crown towards Bourbon and Huguenot Faction. She feared Coligny because Philip II talked him into persuading the French king to invade the Netherlands to support the Protestants. She planned with the Guises to kill Coligny, and when the plan didn’t work out, she blamed it on the protestants to Charles. This lead to the Saint Bartholomew’s Day Massacre- Massacre of Protestants.

6. Body Two

7. Body Two The Thirty Years War was the most devastating conflict in Europe, which stemmed from the Civil War over religion in Germany. It escalated into territorial and political ambitions. After the Peaceof Augsburg- which made Lutheranism legal – Germany was divided between Lutheran and Catholic states. The Ruler of Palatinate, Frederick V, converted to Calvinism, threatening the religious balance in Germany. The Golden Bull of 1356, was when the emperor was elected in seven different states – 3 Protestant and 3 Catholics, leaving Bohemia undecided. Ferdinand II promised Bohemia they would have religious liberties if they elect him as king. Therefore, he was elected but he betrayed his promises. Then the Defenestration of Prague occurred- when two officials were thrown out the window, making Frederick V the new king. The Peace of Westphalia ended all the wars in 1648. The treaty recognized the independence of Switzerland and the Dutch Republic, and it brought back the balance of power in Europe.

8. Body Three

9. Body Three: During the French Wars of Religion, Catherine De Medici advocated for political stability religiously over orthodoxy, like the politique she is. She kept her throne and secret plot with the Guises, when plotting against Coligny by blaming every thing on the Protestants- protecting her Catholic supporters. Creating the massacre of Catholics against protestants. Frederick V, disturbed the balance in Germany of religious groups converting to Calvinism , which caused political conflicts with those who disagreed with Calvinism. Then Ferdinand II betraying Bohemia’s agreement caused the beginning of the Thirty Years War, primarily because he wanted to be king. After Bohemia rebelled in the Defenestration of Prague, Frederick V was the king, because he kept Bohemia's promise of religious stability.

10. Conclusion:

11. Conclusion Religion has influenced political guidelines during the throne of many rulers, such as Catherine de Medici, Ferdinand II and Frederick V. Even after the Religious Wars, the concept of religion and politics having an inter relationship continued into the reign of Louis XIV. Looking ahead, Louis XIV founded French absolutism and established “one king, one faith and one law”- the ruler inaugurates the religion of the land. He also established the French academy of Arts and French Academy of sciences, leading to conflict with the Papacy and Catholic supporters. This ignited the conflict between the papacy and the monarchy.

12. Miscellaneous: Essay is really a three-step process: Show 14th century arc as religion impacting politics (vise versa) Demonstrate how the Wars involved religion and politics Circle in on main events that involved political leaders using religion to benefit or cause disturbance in their nation.