Spanish Possessions of Habsburgs under Philip II

Phillip II- son of Charles V  Saw himself as ‘Protector of the Catholic Religion’  Built El Escorial  Won Battle of Lepanto (1571)  Burgundy (another name for Netherlands) liked having a decentralized gov’t and religious freedom. Phillip didn’t like that! Taxing middle class and tightened religious freedom  People started smashing statues and church décor (iconoclast revolt)

Road to Dutch Independence  Phillip sends Duke of Alba…starts Council of Blood …didn’t help!  William of Orange- leader of revolt, declared independence from Spain after the invasion of Antwerp(1576)…called Pacification of Ghent  southern provinces switch sides and aid Phillip = Union of Arras (mainly French speakers)  Northern 7 provinces = Union of Utrecht (mainly Flemish)

Netherlands Independence  Elizabeth I helps Dutch with money and military  Phillip is MAD!!!!!! Creates a plot that gets Elizabeth to execute Mary, Queen of Scots. Phillip declares war and sends Spanish Armada. Spanish Armada’s first major defeat!  Year Truce- Phillip III basically gave Union of Utrecht independence…unofficially! Southern Provinces becomes the Spanish Netherlands  Spain declines as a world power…for good!

French Wars of Religion Religion and Politics in the 16 th Century

 The years after the Protestant Reformation, France fell into 40 years of religious problems.  In 1559, King Henry II of the French Valois died.  Mayhem begins!!!!!!!  Crown goes to Francis II, who were too young to rule. Catherine de Medici, his mom, becomes regent. True Politique who wanted political stability over religion.

Portrait of Henry II Portrait Catherine de Medici

1559 Valois Catholic Guise Catholic Bourbon Protestant

1559 Francis II Charles IX Henry III Henry of Guise Henry of Navarre

 Francis II married to Mary, Queen of Scots, whose mother was a Guise. The Guise try to crush the Protestant Huguenots (Bourbons), which causes a Huguenot rebellion against the Guise.  1560: Francis II dies. Mary, Queen of Scots is sent back to Scotland, which, during her absence, has become Calvinist Presbyterian.  Charles IX ( ) assumed the throne at age 10 and mother, Catherine de Medici became regent again.

Francis II and Mary, Queen of Scots

Charles IX

 Realizes Guise too powerful…works with Bourbons to eliminate them and in the process, wanted the support of the Huguenots.  Catherine was a Catholic but didn’t want the Guises to call all the shots. She play both sides.  Attempts a compromise, by allowing the Huguenots to hold meetings outside towns and cities; however, no one was happy!!!

 In March, 1562, an army led by the Duke of Guise attacked a Protestant church service and slaughtered everybody.  Thus began the French Wars of Religion, lasting for almost 40 years and killing 1000’s.  During this period, Huguenots are hanged in Paris and Catholics are hanged in Normandy.  Huguenots capture Paris.

St. Bartholomew’s Day Massacre  Catherine de Medici, hoping for peace, proposes that her daughter Marguerite marry Henry of Navarre, a Bourbon and a Huguenot.  Catherine de Medici fears Huguenots and their influence and orders a massacre on Henry and Marguerite's wedding day.  August 24, St. Bartholomew's Day Massacre: 1000’s of Huguenots are murdered in Paris.….shows Valois corruption!  European Catholics congratulate the French.

St. Bartholomew’s Day Massacre

 Results of the St. Bartholomew's Day Massacre: Nothing solved. The Huguenots outraged, and Catherine de Medici tries to appease them. The Catholic Guise vow to wipe out the Huguenots. War of the Three Henrys: Henry of Guise vs. Henry of Navarre (Bourbon, Huguenot) vs. Henry III (Catherine's last son). FINAL STAGE OF THE WAR! Henry of Guise is killed by them, then a monk kills Henry III.

Henry III Valois Henry of Guise

Henry of Navarre aka Henry IV

true politique!  Henry of Navarre changes his religion before the coronation since the majority of France was Catholic. "Surely, Paris is worth a mass.“….true politique!  Henry of Navarre is crowned Henry IV, beginning the Bourbon dynasty and ending the religious wars in France.  Sets up France for absolutism.

 Edict of Nantes: issued by Henry IV for the benefit of the Huguenots:  Freedom of worship in specified places (outside Paris and other towns)  Judicial protection  Huguenots may hold jobs.  Huguenots may have their own schools.  Huguenots may keep troops in fortified cities.  The Edict of Nantes is a major step for religious toleration in France.