The Wars of Religion (1560s-1648)

TheWars ofReligion

(1560s-1648)

TheWars ofReligion

(1560s-1648)

Civil War

In France

(1562-1598)

Civil War

In France

(1562-1598)

Politics, War and ReligionPolitics, War and Religion

• Consequences of the Reformation are terrible for FranceConsequences of the Reformation are terrible for France• Henri II ( Son is Francis I) was the last powerful Valois

-Many nobles become Protestant Huguenots (Pushing for more -Many nobles become Protestant Huguenots (Pushing for more power)power)

-Centered in the non-French speaking South-Centered in the non-French speaking South

-Crisis deepens from war with Spain 1522-1529-Crisis deepens from war with Spain 1522-1529

-Francis I is almost bankrupt, although war will eventually -Francis I is almost bankrupt, although war will eventually strengthen the Crownstrengthen the Crown

-Francis’ successors are young and broke-Francis’ successors are young and broke

The Valois Family:The Beginning of the End

The Valois Family:The Beginning of the End

Three weak sons followed: Francis II Charles IX Henri III

Catherine de Medici controlled the sons: Was mother to the boys Played both sides in the civil war Developed a reputation for cruelty

Catherine de MediciCatherine de Medici

Francis II & His Wife, Mary Stuart

Francis II & His Wife, Mary Stuart

The French Civil WarThe French Civil War There were two sides:

Guise family led Catholics in North Greatest Threat is the Guise Family who are “ultra” Catholics Bourbon family led Huguenots in South Fighting for the royal inheritance

Catherine supported the Guises in the first phase.

St. Bartholomew’s Day Massacre August 24, 1572 Catherine tries to marry off her daughter to the protestant Henry of

Navarre and the St. Bartholomew’s Day Massacre results in the death of most Protestants in Paris

20,000 Huguenots (French Protestants)were killed Henri of Navarre, a Bourbon, survived Immense distrust between Prot. And Cath. Results War and International War for protestant survival

St. Bartholomew’s Day Massacre

St. Bartholomew’s Day Massacre

War of the 3 Henrys (Henry III, War of the 3 Henrys (Henry III, Navarre, Guise)Navarre, Guise)

• Henry III diesHenry III dies• Henry Guise assassinatedHenry Guise assassinated• Henry of Navarre converts to Catholicism and Henry of Navarre converts to Catholicism and

becomes Kingbecomes King

The French Civil WarThe French Civil War Catherine started supporting the Bourbons.

Henri of Navarre defeated Catholic League & becomes Henry IV of France.

Effects of Civil War: France was left divided by religion Royal power had weakened Valois family now replaced by Bourbons

CatholicLeagueCatholicLeague

ProtestantUnion

ProtestantUnion

CIVILWAR

Triumphal Entry of Henry IV Into Paris – Peter Paul

Reubens

Triumphal Entry of Henry IV Into Paris – Peter Paul

Reubens

Ended Spanish interference in France Converted to Catholicism :

Did this to compromise and make peace

Paris is worth a mass. This was an example of politique

[the interest of the state comes first before any religious considerations]

Fighting for the royal inheritance Passed Edict of Nantes in 1598:

Granted religious rights to Huguenots

Did not grant religious freedom for all Protestants

Protestants can hold public office and use public institutions

Henry is assassinated paving the way for an absolute monarch

Henry IV of FranceHenry IV of France

French Wars End and Dutch French Wars End and Dutch Wars BeginWars Begin

• England v. Spain in Holland follows French England v. Spain in Holland follows French WarsWars

• South is Catholic and North is Calvinist and South is Catholic and North is Calvinist and both are ruled by Spain until North revoltsboth are ruled by Spain until North revolts

• 1556 HRE Charles V resigns and his Brother 1556 HRE Charles V resigns and his Brother Ferdinand II) gets his German territory and Ferdinand II) gets his German territory and his son (Phillip II) gets Spain and Hollandhis son (Phillip II) gets Spain and Holland

Outcomes in the NetherlandsOutcomes in the Netherlands

• 1566 Calvinists riot and destroy 30 Churches, 1566 Calvinists riot and destroy 30 Churches, libraries and all things Catholiclibraries and all things Catholic

• Duke of Alva and then Duke of Parma ruthlessly Duke of Alva and then Duke of Parma ruthlessly reconquer the South (Belgium)reconquer the South (Belgium)

• Elizabeth sends 250,000 Pounds Sterling and 2000 Elizabeth sends 250,000 Pounds Sterling and 2000 troops and Phillip II sends out the Spanish Armadatroops and Phillip II sends out the Spanish Armada

• Smaller, faster English Ships win and Stalemate until Smaller, faster English Ships win and Stalemate until 1609 when Holland Is given independence1609 when Holland Is given independence

TheThirty Years

War (1618-1648)

TheThirty Years

War (1618-1648)

1618-16481618-1648

The Holy Roman Empire was the battleground.

At the beginning it was the Catholics vs. the Protestants.

At the end it was Habsburg power that was threatened.

Resolved by the Treaty of Westphalia in 1648.

Characteristics of the Thirty Years War

Characteristics of the Thirty Years War

30 Years War30 Years War• HRE is traditionally elected by 7 Electors (3 Arch-Bishops and 4 HRE is traditionally elected by 7 Electors (3 Arch-Bishops and 4

Dukes)Dukes)• 80 Princes, 50 Bishops 30 Counts plus lesser nobles and 66 80 Princes, 50 Bishops 30 Counts plus lesser nobles and 66

free cities rule the restfree cities rule the rest• Reformation adds to the confusionReformation adds to the confusion• 1555 Charles V (HRE) and France end a war and Charles 1555 Charles V (HRE) and France end a war and Charles

abdicatesabdicates• Charles can’t wipe out protestantsCharles can’t wipe out protestants

– Too well established and too many foreign warsToo well established and too many foreign wars• Peace of Augsburg Peace of Augsburg allows each local ruler to choose the religion allows each local ruler to choose the religion

for his region (NO CALVINISTS!) (cuius regio, eius religio)for his region (NO CALVINISTS!) (cuius regio, eius religio)• What if somebody changes religion? A/B of Cologne does just What if somebody changes religion? A/B of Cologne does just

that.that.

Ferdinand II inherited Bohemia. The Bohemians hated him. Ferdinand refused to tolerate Protestants. Defenestration of Prague May, 1618 Bohemia named a new king, Frederick II.

Ferdinand II becomes Holy Roman Emperor. Frederick II borrowed an army from Bavaria. Frederick lost his lands in the fighting.

The rebellion in Bohemia inspired others. Danes invade 1625-29, but Austrian Hapsburgs win

and issue the Edict of Restitution to restore all Catholic lands

The Bohemian Phase: 1618-1622

The Bohemian Phase: 1618-1622

Bohemian Phase

Bohemian Phase

Ferdinand II tried to end all resistance. Tried to crush Protestant northern Holy

Roman Empire. Ferdinand II used Albrecht von Wallenstein for the army. Wallenstein defeated Protestants in north.

Edict of Restitution (1629): Restored to Catholics all lands lost since 1552. Deprived all Protestants, except Lutherans,

of their religious and political rights.

German princes feared Ferdinand he fired Wallenstein in effort to calm them.

The Danish Phase: 1625-1629The Danish Phase: 1625-1629

Danish Phase

Albrechtvon

Wallenstein

France & Sweden now get involved. Both want to stop Habsburg power. Sweden led the charge. France provided support.

Gustavus Adolphus invaded the HR Empire. Brilliant General, terrific training and musket drill

Ferdinand II brought back Wallenstein. Swedish advance was stopped. Gustavus Wins several battles, but is finally

killed by Austrian General Wallenstein German princes still feared Ferdinand II. Wallenstein assassinated to appease them.

The Swedish Phase: 1630-1635The Swedish Phase: 1630-1635

Swedish Phase

GustavusAdolphus

Looks like Catholics will win and Restore Germany to Catholicism

France & Sweden switched roles. All countries in Europe now participated. French (Catholics) fear the Austrian House of

Hapsburg (also Catholics) will become too powerful

French invade Germany to stop the Austrians (bizarre circumstance of one Catholic state actually preventing a Catholic victory in Germany)

Orgy of burning, looting and destruction follows

The French Phase: 1635-1648The French Phase: 1635-1648

The French Phase: 1635-1648

This phase was most destructive! German towns decimated. Agriculture collapsed famine resulted. 8 million dead 1/3 of the population [from

21 million in 1618 to 13.5 million in 1648] Caused massive inflation. Trade was crippled throughout Europe.

Loss of German Lives in 30 Years’ War

Political Provisions: Each Ger. prince became free from any kind of control

by the HR Emperor. Reestablishes Peace of Augsburg (but includes

Calvinists) The United Provinces [Dutch Neths.] became officially

independent so. part remained a Sp. possession. Fr. rcvd. most of the Ger-speaking province of Alsace. Sweden got lands in No. Ger. on the Baltic & Black

Sea coasts. Switzerland became totally independent of the HR

Emperor Swiss Confederation. Sweden won a voice in the Diet of the HR Emp. Brandenburg got important terrs. on No. Sea & in

central Germany.

The Peace of Westphalia (1648)

The Peace of Westphalia (1648)

Religious Provisions: Calvinists would have the same privileges

as the Lutherans had in the Peace of Augsburg.

The ruler of each state could determine its official religion, BUT [except in the hereditary lands of the Habsburgs], he must permit freedom of private worship.

Religious Persecution, particularly of women becomes commonplace

The Peace of Westphalia (1648)

The Peace of Westphalia (1648)

• Women are supposed to manage the home, Women are supposed to manage the home, be obedient, do charitable work and raise be obedient, do charitable work and raise childrenchildren

• Women are also viewed as the weaker sex Women are also viewed as the weaker sex and more vulnerable to the deviland more vulnerable to the devil

• Influential or non-conforming women must be Influential or non-conforming women must be trafficking with the deviltrafficking with the devil

• Persecution serves to explain bad fortune, Persecution serves to explain bad fortune, eliminate non-conformists and help to relieve eliminate non-conformists and help to relieve social anxiety about the influence of the devilsocial anxiety about the influence of the devil

Why the Religious Hysteria?Why the Religious Hysteria?

Treaty of Westphalia (1648)

1688-1700

Many Protestants felt betrayed.

The pope denounced it.

Only merit it ended the fighting in a war that became intolerable!

For the next few centuries, this war was blamed for everything that went wrong in Central Europe.

Nobody Was Happy!Nobody Was Happy!

What were the long-

range effects of the Thirty Years’ War?

What were the long-

range effects of the Thirty Years’ War?