1. The Religious Wars

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

3. 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

4. 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

5. 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

6. 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

7. 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

8. 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

9. 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

10. 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

11. 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

12. 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

13. 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

14. 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

15. 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

16. 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

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