Europe In Crisis: Wars of Religion

Section 1

Religious & political conflicts between Catholic & Protestant in Europe.

French Wars of Religion-1560Conflict Causes

– Calvinist vs. Catholics- militant religions– Economic, social & political problems

France – Huguenots: French Protestants

• John Calvin• 7% French pop ,but 40-50% of nobility

–Threatened Catholic monarchy– Ultra Catholics oppose

French Wars of Religion

Catholics vs. Huguenots–civil war 30yrs–factors besides religion:

•Towns & provinces resisted monarchy –Support Huguenots=weaken monarchy

French Wars of Religion 1589: Henry of Navarre (King Henry IV of France)-

Huguenot Converted to Catholicism (people’s acceptance) Edict of Nantes (1598):

– Catholicism official religion– Huguenots right to worship & equal political

rights

Spanish Wars of Religion King Philip II of Spain (1556-1598):

– “The Most Catholic King”– militant Catholicism

• God’s chosen nation- Christianities protectors

– Goal: consolidated Spanish lands • Spain, Netherlands, pieces of Italy

& Americas• Used strict Catholicism & Spanish

Control

Spanish Wars of Religion Spanish Netherlands & problems

– Calvinists – Against Catholic Span’s rule = war – 1609 United Provinces of the Netherlands

establishedPhilip II bankrupt - too much $ on war

– Power from Spain to France & Britain

England Protestant or Catholic ? Tudor dynasty =unity Not absolute monarchs-Parliament set limits Mary (aka Bloody Mary)

– Catholic – Protestant nobles dislike, but people love– attacks Protestants – Die & Protestant ½ sister, Elizabeth takes throne

Elizabeth I –Virgin Queen Protestant Focus -common good of her people Protestants vs. Catholics problem

– Repealed Catholic favoring Laws Act of Supremacy:

– “only supreme governor” church & state

– Church of England-Protestant• moderate Protestantism• Leader of Protestant Europe

Elizabeth’s Foreign Policy Foreign Policy:

– Moderate• avoid war • Balance Spain & France -

supported weaker of 2 Philip II ( Spain) -invades England –

Goal: expand Catholicism– Sends Armada – no $

• Defeated by English EFFECT:

– Spain looses power– England & France gain power