French Wars of Religion (1562-98)

French Wars of Religion Seemed an unlikely place for religious war Henry II accidentally killed Catherine de’ Medici dominated (1519-89)

French Wars of Religion Concerned by growth of Calvinism, French kings persecuted them Huguenots came from all levels of society

French Wars of Religion It is possible that 40-50% of the nobility became Huguenots Constituted for apprx. 10% of population

French Wars of Religion Extreme Catholic party—known as the ultra-Catholics Led by Guise family Had loyalty of Paris, and N./N.E. France Ironically the Guise family posed a threat to the Catholic Valois dynasty Henry Duke of Guise (1550-88)

French Wars of Religion Wars erupted in 1562: duke of Guise massacred peaceful congregation During the 1560s: Huguenots were too small a group to conquer France, but could not be defeated either

French Wars of Religion “Compromise”: marriage of reigning Valois king Charles IX’s sister to Henry of Navarre (Bourbon ruler of Navarre) Many traveled to Paris for wedding Guise family persuaded king & his mother that Huguenots posed a threat Margaret Valois

French Wars of Religion St Bartholomew's Day Massacre: began early on August 24, 1572 King’s guards killed prominent Huguenot leaders Unleashed wave of violence Lasted about 3 days Approx. 3,000 Huguenots dead

French Wars of Religion-War of the 3 Henries Current ruler was Henry III (1574-89), succeeded brother—Charles IX Ultra Catholics wanted to place Henry duke of Guise on throne Seized Paris (through the pay of Philip II) & forced Henry III to make him chief minister Henry III Henry Duke of Guise

French Wars of Religion-War of the 3 Henries Henry III assassinated duke of Guise, joined with Henry Navarre (returned to Calvinism) who was next in line to the throne Henry III assassinated in 1589 Henry Navarre claimed throne (converted back to Catholicism)

French Wars of Religion Edict of Nantes (1598): Acknowledged Catholicism as official religion of France but, Guaranteed Huguenots right to worship in selected places Huguenots could enjoy all political privileges

Philip II & Spain Philip II ( 1556-98) Son of Charles V Inherited Spain, Netherlands, possessions in Italy & New World Aggressively used the Inquisition Palace: El Escorial Demonstrated his power & faith

Philip II & Spain Wanted to make Spain a dominant power in Europe Importation of silver was detrimental: spiraling inflation Did not have a true middle class

Philip II & Spain War (especially after 1580) was devastating to the economy Philip II in many ways led to the decline of Spain

Philip II & Spain “Most Catholic king” **became champion of Catholicism throughout Europe -led to several great victories (Lepanto 1571), but equally great defeats (Elizabeth I)

Revolt in the Netherlands One of the richest parts of Philip’s empire Netherlands: consisted of 17 provinces 7 Northern were largely Germanic in culture and Dutch speaking 10 Southern: French and Flemish speaking, tied to France

Revolt in the Netherlands b/c of location, Netherlands had many religious influences: Lutheranism, Anabaptists, and Calvinism Did not have real political bond, except common ruler: Philip II

Revolt in the Netherlands Philip wanted to strengthen his control This was opposed by nobles, towns, etc. who stood to lose politically Resentment intensified when the Dutch realized the taxes they paid were used for Spanish interests

Revolt in the Netherlands Religion became a major catalyst for revolt: Philip II wanted to reorganize the structure of the Dutch Catholic Church Also wanted to crush heresy

Revolt in the Netherlands Violence erupted in 1566: Calvinists (especially nobles) destroyed statues/stained glass windows in Catholic churches Philip II responded by sending duke of Alba with (approximately) 10,000 troops to crush the rebellion Duke of Alba

Revolt in the Netherlands Duke of Alba: oppressive—levied a permanent sales tax, alienating merchants & commoners They joined with the nobles and Calvinists, against Spanish rule Duke was removed in 1573 Council of Troubles: Nicknamed by the Dutch as Council of Blood Created reign of terror

Revolt in the Netherlands William of Orange emerged as the resistance leader William of Orange wanted to unify all 17 provinces 1576, Pacification of Ghent: 1.)said that all provinces would stand together under W. of O, 2.)respect religious differences, & 3.)demand Spanish troops be removed William of Orange

Revolt in the Netherlands Duke of Parma: next Spanish leader Played upon the religious differences of the provinces, splitting them Union of Arras Southern Provinces 1579, formed a Catholic union accepted Spanish rule Duke of Parma

Revolt in the Netherlands Union of Utrecht Organized by William of Orange Northern- Dutch speaking Provinces Opposed Spanish rule Wanted to organize under France or Elizabeth I—neither worked Netherlands now divided along religious, geographical, and political lines

Revolt in the Netherlands Even though Elizabeth I refused to lead the N. Provinces, she did assist them militarily Struggle in the Dutch area continued after both Philip II and Elizabeth I had died

Revolt in the Netherlands 1609: Twelve Years’ Truce in the Netherlands Virtually recognized the independence of the N. provinces “United Provinces” emerged as the Dutch Republic— Spanish did not recognize them until 1648 Southern provinces remained a Spanish possession

Elizabeth I Daughter of Anne Boleyn & Henry VIII Cleaned up Mary I’s “mess” Catholics were majority when she took the crown R efused marriage to Philip II

Elizabeth I Queen Mary of Scots Had legitimate claim to the English throne Had to flee Scotland Lived under house arrest in England Had plots to assassinate Elizabeth Elizabeth I beheaded her

Elizabeth I Spain and England Philip II wanted to invade England Elizabeth I was helping in the Dutch region Elizabeth beheaded Mary of Scots Philip II’s advisers claimed the people of England would rise against their queen

Elizabeth I 1588--Spanish fleet , battered on numerous occasions, were forced to sail north around Scotland Defeat of Spanish Armada ensured England would be Protestant Psychological blow to Spaniards

Thirty Years’ War (1618-48) Often called last of the “religious wars” However, as war continued it was clear that dynastic-nationalist considerations were more important Historians view it as a struggle b/w the Bourbons and Hapsburgs (HRE & Spain)

Thirty Years’ War (1618-48) Background to the War 1.)Since beginning of 16th c., France felt “encircled” by Hapsburgs 2.) Spain saw 12 year truce with Netherlands (1609) as temporary…wanted to regain control 3.) Austrian Hapsburgs wished to consolidate their holdings & eliminate Protestantism…also H R Emperors were frustrated by lack of power

Thirty Years’ War (1618-48) Beginnings: During the early 17th century Elector Frederick IV (a Calvinist) formed a league of German States into the Protestant Union Gained support of Dutch , English, and French To counteract: a Catholic League of German States was formed by Duke Maximilian Gained support of Spain & HRE

Thirty Years’ War (1618-48) Ferdinand II Historians historically have divided the 30 yrs. War into 4 phases: PHASE # 1: Bohemian phase (1618-25) 1617: Bohemian Estates (mostly nobles) accepted Archduke Ferdinand as their king Ferdinand II

Thirty Years’ War (1618-48) Frederick V PHASE # 1: Bohemian phase (1618-25) cont. Ferdinand tried to “re-catholicize” Bohemia…making the Protestant nobility upset Protestant nobility rebelled in 1618 Rebels deposed Ferdinand, replaced with Elector Frederick V Frederick V

Thirty Years’ War (1618-48) PHASE # 1: Bohemian phase (1618-25) cont. Meanwhile, Ferdinand was elected H R Emperor With the help of the Catholic League, imperial forces defeated Frederick (& the Bohemians) @ the Battle of White Mountain (Nov. 8, 1620)

Thirty Years’ War (1618-48) **PHASE # 1: Bohemian phase (1618-25) cont. Spain took advantage of Frederick’s weakness, gained western parts of the Palatinate Ferdinand confiscated Protestant lands, and Catholicism was the sole religion

Thirty Years’ War (1618-48) Wallenstein PHASE # 2: Danish Phase (1625-29) King Christian IV of Denmark (a Lutheran) invaded northern Germany (on behalf of the Protestant cause & he would gain lands that would give him control of the southern Baltic) Imperial forces led by Albrecht von Wallenstein Christian IV soundly defeated Wallenstein

Thirty Years’ War (1618-48) Christian IV PHASE # 2: Danish Phase (1625-29) cont. Christian IV’s defeat meant end of Danish involvement in 30 yrs. War & Danish Supremacy in the Baltic Ferdinand was at his height of power Issued Edict of Restitution (1629):prohibited Calvinist worship, & gave back Catholic lands that were taken by Protestants in the last 75 yrs. Wallenstein was dismissed Christian IV

Thirty Years’ War (1618-48) Adolphus PHASE # 3: Swedish Phase (1630-35) Gustavus Adolphus, king of Sweden, received financial support from France Motivated by gaining complete control of the Baltic Sea & religion ( he was a Lutheran), Adolphus brought his army into northern Germany Adolphus

Thirty Years’ War (1618-48) PHASE # 3: Swedish Phase (1630-35) cont. Imperial forces recalled Wallenstein @ Battle of Lutzen: Swedish forces won…but Adolphus was killed Wallenstein was assassinated in 1634

Thirty Years’ War (1618-48) PHASE # 3: Swedish Phase (1630-35) cont. Imperial forces won Battle of Nordlingen, guaranteeing southern Germany would be Catholic H R Emperor tried to make peace with the German princes and revoked the 1629 Edict of Restitution

Thirty Years’ War (1618-48) PHASE # 4: Franco-Swedish Phase (1635-48) By this time religious issues lost significance, dynastic powers were more important Catholic French were supporting Protestant Swedes against Catholic Hapsburgs of Germany & Spain Cardinal Richelieu

Thirty Years’ War (1618-48) PHASE # 4: Franco-Swedish Phase (1635-48) cont. Most decisive battle: Battle of Rocroi (1643), France beat Spain…ending Spanish military greatness War in Germany officially ended with Peace of Westphalia (1648) War b/w France and Spain continued until 1659 w/ the Peace of the Pyrenees

Thirty Years’ War (1618-48) Results of the 30 yrs. War: 1.)Ensured all German States were free to determine own religion 2.)France gained Western parts of Germany, now controlling the Franco-Germanic border (which will become excellent military bases in the future)

Thirty Years’ War (1618-48) Results of the 30 yrs. War: 3.)Austrian Hapsburgs saw authority as rulers of Germany further diminish 4.)the more than 300 states that made up the HRE were virtually independent, bringing an end to the HRE as a political entity 5.) made clear that religion and politics are separate worlds (pope excluded from all decisions @ Westphalia