1. Social Crisis, War and Revolution in Europe

2. Crisis In Europe
From 1560 to 1650, Europe witnessed severe economic and social crisis.
One major economic problem was inflation, or rising prices
A growing population in the 16th century increased the demand for land and food and drove up prices for both.

3. Economic and Social Crisis
Spain’s economy had grown dependent on imported silver, but the silver was growing scarce.
Ships were also subject to pirate attacks
Population increase caused a greater demand for food
million people
million people
1650- Population began to decline
Warfare, plague, and famine all contributed to the population decline and the creation of social tensions.

4. The Witchcraft Trials
The belief in witchcraft, or magic, had been part of traditional village culture for centuries.
The religious zeal that led to the inquisition and the hunt for heretics was extended to concern about witchcraft.

5. Witchcraft
Perhaps more than a hundred thousand people were charged with witchcraft.
As more and more people were brought to trial, the fear of witches grew, as did the fear of being accused of witchcraft.

6. Which Witch?
Common people – usually the poor and those without property – were the ones most often accused of Witchcraft.
More than 75% were women (most single or widowed and over 50)

7. Hysteria Many would confess under intense torture
By 1650, the witchcraft hysteria had begun to lesson
Many were now finding it unreasonable to believe in such things.

8. The Thirty Years War

9. Cause of the War
Religion played an important role in the outbreak of the War (often called “last of the religious wars”)
However, political and territorial motives were also evident.

10. Who was involved
Those involved were the Holy Roman Empire V. Denmark, Sweden, France, and Spain.
Spain made the war more political because they were trying to become a leader in Europe.

11. Effects of the War
All major European powers except England were involved in the plundering and destruction of Germany during the 30 years war
The Peace of Westphalia officially ended the war in and gave Sweden, France and their allies new territories

12. Division
The Peace also divided the more than 300 states of the Holy Roman Empire into independent states, each with freedom to determine their own religion and conduct foreign policy
The Holy Roman Empire ceased to be.
It would be another 200 years before Germany would be unified.

13. Revolutions in England

14. Divine Right
With the death of Queen Elizabeth I in 1603, the Tudor dynasty came to an end.
The Stuart line of rulers began with Elizabeth’s cousin, the king of Scotland, James I of England

15. Divine Right
James believed that he received his power from God and was responsible only to God. This is called the Divine Right of Kings
Parliament was not a fan of this idea

16. The Puritans
The Puritans (Protestants inspired by Calvinist ideas) in England did not like the king’s strong defense of the Church of England
They wanted to make the church more Protestant
The puritan gentry made up a large portion of the House of Commons, the lower house of Parliament
It was not wise to alienate them.

17. Conflict with the Puritans
Began during the reign of James’ son Charles I
Charles, like his father, believed in the divine right of kings
In 1628, Parliament passed a Petition of Right.
Placed limits on the king’s ability to tax, imprison citizens without just cause, quarter troops, and institute martial law

18. Changing his mind
Charles initially accepted the petition, but later ignored it when he realized how it limited his power
He also tried to force puritans to accept his religious policies, thousands went to America

19. Social Crisis: War and Revolution
4. Which group of people were most often targeted for witchcraft?
1. List the economic problems Europe faced in the 16th century.
5. What was the 30-years war about? Who fought in the war?
7. What happened to the Holy Roman Empire?
2. What led to the decline in population?
Name______________________________________________________________
6. What was the Peace of Westphalia?
3. What were the witchcraft trials?
Social Crisis: War and Revolution

20. 9. Who were the Puritans and why was it bad to make them mad?
11. What caused the Puritans to move to America?
8. What is the Divine Right of Kings?
10. What was the Petition of Rights?