The Religious Wars

Philip II Philip II ruled Spain, the Low Countries, parts of Italy and the New World Saw himself as the protector of Catholicism

His palace, El Escorial, reflected his personality He insisted on overseeing even the most minute details of government An important part of Philip’s inheritance was the Low Countries Philip did 2 things that would eventually spark a revolt

First, Philip attempted to increase taxes to fund the cost of the Spanish empire Second, Philip was determined to stamp out heresy by tightening church structure in the Netherlands In response, the people of the Low Countries began smashing statues and church decorations

Philip sent the Duke of Alva to the Netherlands He created the Council of Blood Only further enflamed the provinces William the Silent became leader of the Dutch revolt

Pacification of Ghent – all 17 Low Country provinces called for an end to Spanish rule of the area Philip changed his tactics The Duke of Parma pried the southern 10 provinces from the revolt (Union of Arras) The 7 northern provinces formed the Union of Utrecht in 1581

Philip II signed a Twelve Years’ Truce with the Union of Utrecht The southern 10 provinces became known as the Spanish Netherlands Spain declined during the 17th c: Overextended itself politically and militarily Crusading mentality persecuted minorities Internal revolts over high taxes and centralized government

French Wars of Religion Religious conflicts grew from religious and political roots Despite the efforts of Frances I, Calvinism grew in France By 1560, 40% of French nobles advocated the Huguenot faith

Henry II died and plunged France into a civil conflict It was a 3 sided conflict Valois family (currently ruling) Henry Bourbon (Protestant) Henry Guise (ultra Catholic) Series of 13 short wars, with numbers attempts by the Valois to compromise

St. Bartholomew’s Day Massacre Henry Bourbon agreed to marry Catherine de Medici’s daughter Rumors flared that Protestants were plotting to take over the government Catherine ordered the slaughter of Protestant nobles

War of the Three Henries In 1588, Henry Guise took the city of Paris Henry III formed an alliance with Henry Bourbon (made him next in line for the throne) Both Henries invited Guise to the palace and had him assassinated

In reprisal, Henry III was killed and Henry Bourbon became king Spent the next decade winning control of the nation To bring peace, he converted to Catholicism Engineered the Edict of Nantes

The Thirty Years War Most devastating conflict prior to WWI and WWII German Catholics and Protestants formed alliances with outside powers Protestant Union Catholic League

Germany stood divided between Lutheran and Catholic states The Peace of Augsburg did not take Calvinism into account Ferdinand II tried to gain control of Bohemia by promising religious toleration if they elected him king When he was elected, he betrayed his promise Defenestration of Prague

Peace of Westphalia Important point in European politics and diplomacy HRE no longer played a major role in the affairs of Central Europe Recognized the independence of Switzerland and the Dutch Republic

Ended any hopes of future religious unity in Europe Papacy was ignored during the peace negotiations and its role would be reduced in future diplomacy Prussia and Austria emerged as competing German powers

Europe underwent a military revolution Gunpowder and foot-soldiers played a major role Tactics became more flexible Governments grew larger and more centralized