Ch 14 section 1 Wars of Religion

Religious wars in France French kings were persecuting protestants but could not stop the religion outright. 93% of Frenchmen were Catholic The Protestants were influenced by John Calvin. These followers were called Huguenots.

Huguenots Made up 7% of the population however 40-50% of them were of nobility. Nobles have castles with walls. Have armies that can defend these castles. Some towns and provinces fought on the side of the Huguenots because of their resentment of the French monarch.

Ultra Catholics The King’s side Extreme Catholic party that strongly opposed the Huguenots. They were able to recruit and pay for a large army. For thirty years they battled. It ends with Henry of Navarre or Henry IV.

Henry IV - France Was a Huguenot that converts to Catholicism after he assumes the Throne. He converted to gain the backing of the majority of the French. He issues the Edict of Nantes that recognizes Catholicism as the official religion but also allows the Huguenots to worship their own religion. It also allowed Huguenots to hold public offices. Ends the conflict.

Philip II (Spain) Known as the “Most Catholic King” Was the greatest supporter of militant Catholicism. Spain appeared to be the most powerful nation because it possessed the Netherlands, Italy, and the Americas. They were not the most powerful because Philip and his successors emptied the treasury, spending it on war and their court. Gov’t was weak and the army was out of date.

Elizabeth Tudor – (England) Once she became Queen, she changed the religion in England. She repealed the laws favoring Catholics and named herself as the supreme governor of the church and state. The church of England would become moderately Protestant (to please as many as possible).

Elizabeth and War Often supported the weaker nation(balance of power) She believed that war would be bad for England and for her rule. She only went to war with Spain because Philip sent and Armada to invade England.

War with Spain The Spanish Armada met the English forces in the English channel. The Spanish ships used a curved formation to better defend against the English The English ships were faster and their guns could shoot farther that the Spanish. The English lit old cargo ships on fire and floated them towards the Armada to break their defensive stance.

War with Spain Once the Spanish ship moved away from each other the English moved in. Most of the Spanish Armada was destroyed in the battle, however several sailed up and around England to get back home. On the way they encountered a storm that sunk more ships. The Armada was decimated.

Why did Philip think he could win? He believed that once the English Catholic people heard that he was invading, they would rise up and remove Elizabeth from the throne. He also believed that God was on his side and would deliver England to him.