Religious Wars of the 16th Century

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Religious Wars of the 16th Century

• 1550-1650

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Religious Wars of the 16th Century

• Between 1560 and 1650, Europe experienced social
  and political upheaval
• Wars of religion were a product of the
  Reformation
• A struggle for the hearts and minds of the people
  of Europe

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France

• French Calvinists (Huguenots) were persecuted by
  French kings
• Huguenots came from all levels of society
• Included 40-50 of the French nobles
• A strong willed and well organized minority

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France

• Huguenots were greatly outnumbered by the
  ultra-Catholics
• The current dynasty (the Valois family) were
  strong Catholics
• Received support from the Pope and the Jesuits

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France

• Civil wars raged for 30 years between the
  Huguenots and the ultra-Catholics
• Loyalty to religion became more important than
  loyalty to the king or country
• Disgruntled commoners added a political cause to
  the civil wars

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France

• In 1589 Henry of Navarre (political leader of the
  Huguenots) became king Henry IV
• He converted to Catholicism and issued the Edict
  of Nantes in 1598
• The edict recognized Catholicism as the official
  religion of France, but gave Huguenots the right
  to worship

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Spain

• King Philip II of Spain was the great supporter
  of Catholicism
• Philip was the heir to Charles V
• His reign ushered in an age of Spanish political
  and cultural greatness

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Spain
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Spain

• Challenged to consolidate and control his empire
• Insisted on strict conformity to Catholicism
• The most Catholic King and defender of the faith

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Spain

• Philips biggest obstacle was the Spanish
  Netherlands populated by Calvinists
• Philips attempt to strengthen control led to
  revolt
• William the silent organized the resistance

William the silent of Nassau prince of
Orange
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William the Silent

• There are several explanations for the origin of
  this nickname "William the Silent". The most
  common one is that he rarely spoke out clearly on
  controversial matters at the court or in public,
  or (by some accounts) even completely avoided
  speaking about such topics.

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Spain

• The long war ended with the Peace of Westphalia
  in 1648
• Recognized the United Provinces of the
  Netherlands which became the core of the modern
  Dutch state
• The 17th century was the golden age of the Dutch
  Republic

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England
Catherine of Aragon
Jane Seymour
Anne Boleyn
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England

• Edward was protestant
• Decisions made by advisors
• Created a protestant church service
• Died very young

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England

• Mary was a Catholic
• Wife of Philip II of Spain
• Burned protestants at the stake
• Bloody Mary

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England

• Elizabeth was a protestant
• Religious policy based on moderation
• Repealed the Catholic laws of Mary
• Revised Edwards church service to make it more
  appealing to Catholics
• New Act of Supremacy in 1559

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England

• Cautious foreign policy
• Avoided war and stayed out of alliances
• Sent aid to French Huguenots and Dutch Calvinists
• Defeated the Spanish Armada in 1588

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England

• When Elizabeth Tudor ascended the throne in
  1558, England had fewer than four million people.
  During her reign, the small island kingdom
  became leader of the Protestant nations of Europe
  and laid the foundations for a world empire.
• Spielvogel, pg. 456

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So what does all this mean?

• By the start of the 17th century
• Spain was still seen as the biggest power in
  Europe, but in reality, England had taken over
• The Dutch were about to become a force in
  exploration and colonization
• Leaders with a modern political perspective had
  the greatest success in solving the religious
  crisis of the 16th century

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Religious Wars of the 16th Century

• Rank each leader by using Machiavellian criteria.
• 1 is the most Machiavellian, 2 is second, and
  3 is the least Machiavellian
• Give justification for your ranking with specific
  examples