Religion,Politics

and War

16th & 17th centuries

France Adopts Catholicism

• France is broke due to Hapsburg-Valois Wars

• Signs Concordat of Bologna– Gives pope authority in France– King (Francis I) got to appoint citizens to

papal positions– King would inherit money from the church– Explains why France didn’t adopt

Protestantism- a political & economic move

Francis I

Religious Discord in France

• Due to church corruption, Luther and Calvin’s ideas became popular in France– Calvin’s ideas were most popular, he wrote in French

• French monarchy was weak– Didn’t pay attention and allowed conversion

• Many French citizens converted out of rebellion and spite due to church corruption

• Violent clashes between Catholics and Protestants (Huguenots) occurred often

French Violence Intensifies

• St. Bartholomew’s Day Massacre (8/24/1572)– Catholic attack/murder by Henry of Guise on

Protestant leader Gaspard de Coligny– Led to the War of the Three Henrys, more

religious fighting• Henry of Guise (Catholic)• Henry of Navarre (Protestant, Bro-in-law to king)• Henry III (Catholic King of France, moderate)

St. Bartholomew’s Day Massacre

War of the 3 Henrys

Henry III

Henry of Navarre

(Henry IV)

Henry of Guise

Some Religious Peace

• War of the Three Henrys ended with the murder of Henry III and Henry of Guise– Henry of Navarre emerges as Henry IV

• Politique: religious moderate group formed during this time. – Hoping for restoration of a strong monarchy

• Henry IV appeals to Catholics (even though he’s Protestant)– Signed Edict of Nantes, allowing freedom of worship

to Huguenots– He restored religious peace

Charles V: “Ultimate Catholic”

• Holy Roman Emperor (1519-1556)• Inherited a large empire, too large to manage• Was ultra-Catholic, but did allow his territory of

Flanders (part Belgium) to freely practice Protestantism.– The Flemish citizens loved him

• Charles stepped down (abdicated) to his Spanish son, Phillip II who inherits most of the H.R.E.– Spain is a strong Catholic country…You know where

this is going…

Charles V: Holy Roman Emperor

Religious War Under Phillip II of Spain

• The economy of Flanders suffered and riots emerged under Phillip’s reign– Many of the rioters were Calvinists who according to

doctrine, didn’t respect authority that was “wrong.”– Phillip sent soldiers to stop the riots, 10 years of

fighting– Protestantism was eventually crushed in the southern

provinces (Flanders/Belgium)– Northern provinces (Netherlands/Holland) held out for

Protestantism. Signed Union of Utrecht in 1581 declaring independence from Spain. Phillip didn’t back down.

Phillip II of Spain

England Enters the Game

• The n. provinces asked for help from their Protestant neighbor, Elizabeth I of England– Remember: Elizabeth’s father (Henry VIII)

started the English Reformation in 1534 after being denied a divorce from the pope

– Elizabeth helped for a few reasons: English wool trade had declined, spread of Catholicism was bad, & fearful of a Spanish invasion of England

Elizabeth I of England

Defeat of the Spanish Armada

• Phillip II knew he needed to get rid of the English if he was going to control the northern provinces

• He sent an “armada” or fleet of 130 ships to meet the English in the English Channel. (5/9/1588)

• The English brought 150 better ships– Smaller and faster– The Spanish were out-maneuvered and were

defeated• Significant because it stopped Phillip II from

unifying his empire under Catholicism– Phillip recognized independence of the N. Provinces

Defeat of the Spanish Armada 1588

Beginnings of the 30 Years’ War 1618-1648

• The Peace of Augsburg in 1555 tried to allow some religious freedom in Germany (part of the H.R.E.)

• Problem: Catholic and Protestant princes fought over territory– Alliances formed: Protestant Union (1608) &

Catholic League (1609)– Fighting first erupted in Bohemia (Poland)

over closed P. churches. 30 Years’ War Began!

4 Different Phases of War

• 1. Bohemian Phase: Catholic Victories• 2. Danish Phase: Catholic Victories• 3. Swedish Phase: Protestant Victories• 4. French Phase: Protestant Victories

– French entered on the side of the Protestants– Help with $– Remember: The French are Catholic!– Again, the French would do anything to keep

the H.R.E. weak!

The War Ends (Finally!)

• Lasted 30 years because no one had enough resources to win a quick war

• Peace of Westphalia (1648) ended religious warfare.– Turning point event in history– N. Provinces (Netherlands) acknowledged – Church steps back and from here on out, has a

limited role in European politics

• N. Germany emerges Protestant and S. Germany Catholic

Europe

Chapter 15 Timeline ActivityThe events of chapter 15 are numerous. It is imperative that we know the chronology of

the events listed below and how the Catholic/Protestant religious conflict played a major role in 16th and 17th century Europe.

Give a detailed description of the significance of each event and the role religion played in that event (5 w’s + religion) You should have a solid paragraph (5 sentences minimum) per topic. You may have to give a little background to adequately cover the event.

Use a white piece of paper to map out your timeline. Include dates as well as the informational background paragraphs.

The topics listed below are not necessarily in chronological order and can be found throughout chapter 15:

1. Peace of Augsburg2. Concordat of Bologna3. St. Bartholomew’s Day Massacre/War of the Three Henrys4. Edict of Nantes5. Union of Utrect6. Defeat of the Spanish Armada7. Protestant Union8. Catholic League9. 30 Years’ War10. Peace of Westphalia