Wars of Religion
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)