Chapter 15: The Religious Wars

1. Chapter 15: The Religious Wars Catholics vs. Protestants

2. France (1515-1559) • The Hundred Years’ War, and the Habsburg-Valois Wars cost France. • Raised taxes • Borrowed heavily • France tries two new ways to increase revenue. • The Sale of Public offices. (Tax Exempt?) • Treaty with the Pope. (The Concordat of Bologna)

3. The Concordat of Bologna • Established Catholicism as the official state religion of France. • France gained the right to appoint all French bishops and abbots. (the sale of these offices would create revenue) • Many of these clergy members had less interest in religious acts and more interest in state affairs. • This led to 1/10th of France becoming Calvinist by 1559.

4. French Weakness • The French crown became increasingly weak. • Some French nobles used this weakness to convert to Calvinism. • These French Converts became known as Huguenots.

5. “War of the Three Henrys” ←Henry III, King of France Henry of Guise ↓ Henry of Navarre →

6. Saint Bartholomew’s Day MassacreThe attempted assassination Admiral Coligny (Huguenot supporter of Henry of Navarre) led Huguenots to petitioning King Charles IX to take action against Guise. His refusal and action against the protesting Huguenots led to the death of around 12,000.

7. Henry of Guise killed by Henry III

8. Strength to the Crown • A group of moderates known as the politiques, they argued to accept the Huguenots as a officially recognized pressure group. • The assassination of Henry III, and Henry of Guise (both Catholic), led the way to Henry of Navarre (Protestant) to take the crown.

9. Henry III killed by Jacques Clement

10. Henry III bequeaths his rule to Henry of Navarre

11. The Edict of Nantes • Henry of Navarre or IV, becomes Catholic. • Signing granted liberty of conscience and worship to the Huguenots in 150 towns. • Helped restore peace in France and Power to the Crown.

12. Importance? • France is now divided into a Catholic majority and a Calvinist Minority. • This will cause future social instability in France. • Religious differences will take place in other lands that will lead Europe towards the Thirty Years’ War.

13. The Thirty Years War (1618-1648)

14. The Peace of Augsburg (1555) • It officially ended the religious struggle between the Protestants and Catholics within Germany. • German princes could select either Lutheranism or Catholicism within the domains. • Subjects, citizens, or residents were free to migrate to different regions in which their desired religion had been accepted.

15. Catholics Jesuits took militant approaches to converting Protestant Princes. Protestants Acquired bishoprics, upsetting Catholics Tensions Rise in Germany • Calvinism • Never were dealt with in the Treaty • Converted many Princes to Calvinism

16. Sides are Taken • 1608, Lutheran Princes formed the Protestant Union. • 1609, Catholics created the Catholic League. • Both sides were interested in Religious expansion while stopping the other. • In addition, Austria and Spain (both Hapsburgs) sought to unite the empire and return all to Catholicism.

17. 1. The Bohemian Phase • Ferdinand II, King of Bohemia, closes Protestant churches in Prague. • Ferdinand II defeats Frederick and the P.U. at the Battle of White Mountain. • Within 10 years, Bohemia was totally converted to Catholicism.

20. 2. Danish Phase • Catholics led by Albert of Wallenstein was victorious in Silesia, Schleswig, the Baltic and Pomerania. • In 1629, Jesuits push for the issuing of the Edict of Restitution: • All lost properties were to be restored to the Catholics. • Only Catholics and Protestants could practice their faith.

21. 3. Swedish Phase • Sweden enters under King Gustavus Adolphus (Protestant) • Scores a number of victories for the Protestant cause. • Funded by the French (Why?)

22. 4. International Phase • 1635, in order to keep France strong, Cardinal Richelieu, along with Sweden, Dutch, Scots, Finns and Germans declare war on Spain. • Germany was burnt, looted, and utterly destroyed.

23. German population decreased by upwards of 30% • Famine, Typhus and the Plague contributed to the death total. • Worst disaster in German / European history before the 20th Century.

24. The Peace of Westphalia • Signed in 1648; ended the 30 years war. • A weak Germany continued under a federation of states that shared power with the emperor. (France, Sweden win power and land) • Stopped the papacy from participating in any German religious issues. • Calvinism included in 1555 Treaty of Augsburg.

25. Germany Afterwards • Economic crisis hits. • Farm workers, with out capital to restore their lands, were bought out by wealth nobles. • Many laborers returned to a new system of serfdom.

27. Discussion Time • Breaking off into groups of 8, students will need to discuss the following topics: • Discuss Friedrich’s argument, and Holborn’s argument. Which historian makes the more believable claim? • Discuss Darby’s view of the 30 years war. What old theory does he refute? • Discuss, with evidence the following: Were the Wars of Religion truly about religion?