The European Age of Religious Wars ( )

European Religious Divisions – 16 th 17 th century

Wars of Religion 1. German Peasants’ War (1520s) 2. War of German Princes v. Emperor Charles V (1520s-1555) 3. Civil War In France ( ) Years War ( )

In France: The Valois Family The Beginning of the End  Henri II was the last powerful Valois  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

The French Civil War  There were two sides:  Guise family led Catholics in North  Bourbon family led Protestant Huguenots in South  Fighting for the royal inheritance  Catherine supported the Guises in the first phase.  St. Bartholomew’s Day Massacre  August 24, 1572  20,000 Huguenots were killed  Henri of Navarre, a Bourbon, survived

St. Bartholomew’s Day Massacre

The French Civil War  Catherine started supporting the Bourbons (Protestants)  Henri of Navarre defeated Catholic League & became “Henry IV of France.”  Effects of Civil War:  1. France was left divided by religion  2. Royal power had weakened  3. Valois family now replaced by Bourbons Catholic League Protestant Union CIVIL WAR

 Ended Spanish interference in France  Converted to Catholicism :  Did this to compromise and make peace  “Paris is worth a mass.” (Henry IV)  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 Henry IV of France

The 30 Years War ( )

Historical Background By 1600, Protestants outnumbered Catholics in Bohemia but the Protestants were fragmented into denominations or sects By 1600, Protestants outnumbered Catholics in Bohemia but the Protestants were fragmented into denominations or sects Holy Roman Emperor Rudolph II issued a Letter of Majesty granting some limited freedoms and tolerance to Protestants but Rudolph died before Protestants fully enjoyed the limited freedoms Holy Roman Emperor Rudolph II issued a Letter of Majesty granting some limited freedoms and tolerance to Protestants but Rudolph died before Protestants fully enjoyed the limited freedoms Catholics prohibited Protestants from building churches in towns where Protestant churches did not already exist Catholics prohibited Protestants from building churches in towns where Protestant churches did not already exist Ferdinand II was to be the new King of Bohemia and Protestants feared for the worst Ferdinand II was to be the new King of Bohemia and Protestants feared for the worst

The Defenestration of Prague Protestants set up a meeting with Catholic officials in Prague on May 23, Protestants set up a meeting with Catholic officials in Prague on May 23, Meeting went badly, the Protestants seized two Catholic officials and tossed them out the window; they tossed a secretary out as well. Meeting went badly, the Protestants seized two Catholic officials and tossed them out the window; they tossed a secretary out as well. This event is known as The Defenestration of Prague. The word defenestrate comes from Latin word for “window” and means “out the window” This event is known as The Defenestration of Prague. The word defenestrate comes from Latin word for “window” and means “out the window” Survived the fall because they landed in a dungheap or ditch; Catholics claimed angels saved them Survived the fall because they landed in a dungheap or ditch; Catholics claimed angels saved them This was the spark that ignited the 30 Years’ War This was the spark that ignited the 30 Years’ War

Defenestration of Prague

The 30 Years’ War Four Phases of the 30 Years’ War: Four Phases of the 30 Years’ War: 1. The Bohemian Phase ( ) 1. The Bohemian Phase ( ) 2. The Danish Phase ( ) 2. The Danish Phase ( ) 3. The Swedish Phase ( ) 3. The Swedish Phase ( ) 4. The French Phase (1635 – 1648) 4. The French Phase (1635 – 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 (a powerful family)  Resolved by the Treaty of Westphalia in Characteristics of the Thirty Years War

- German towns were devastated. - Agriculture collapsed  famine resulted. - 8 million dead  1/3 of the population [from21 million in 1618 to 13.5 million in 1648] - Caused massive inflation. - Trade was crippled throughout Europe. Immediate Effects

Loss of German Lives in 30 Years’ War

JACQUES CALLOT ( ) AND THE MISERIES OF THE THIRTY YEARS WAR The Hanging

The Peace of Westphalia (1648) The 30 Years’ War officially ended in 1648 with the Peace of Westphalia The 30 Years’ War officially ended in 1648 with the Peace of Westphalia Political Provisions: Political Provisions: 1. The treaties recognized the sovereignty of the 300+ German princes 2. The United Provinces [Dutch Neths.] became officially independent, the southern part (today Belgium) remained a Spanish possession. 3. France received most of the German speaking province of Alsace. 4. Sweden  got lands in No. Ger. on the Baltic & Black Sea coasts 5. Switzerland became totally independent of the HR Emperor  Swiss Confederation. 6. Brandenburg Prussia got important territories on the North Sea & in central Germany.

Treaty of Westphalia (1648)

Political Consequences of the 30 Years’ War Because Spain lost territory and France gained territory, France stood alone as the most powerful nation on the continent Because Spain lost territory and France gained territory, France stood alone as the most powerful nation on the continent France also benefited from the fragmentation of the Holy Roman Empire and the weakening of the Habsburg family influence France also benefited from the fragmentation of the Holy Roman Empire and the weakening of the Habsburg family influence

Important Points The 30 Years War began as a war of religion and developed into an international war of politics The 30 Years War began as a war of religion and developed into an international war of politics While the war started as a religious war, the war healed no religious wounds While the war started as a religious war, the war healed no religious wounds France proved that international politics would be more important in the coming centuries than religion France proved that international politics would be more important in the coming centuries than religion