Wars of Religion
Benjamin Wright
9 min read
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Study Guide Overview
This study guide covers major European religious conflicts of the 16th and 17th centuries, including the German Peasants' War, Schmalkaldic Wars, Peace of Augsburg, French Wars of Religion, Edict of Nantes, Thirty Years' War, and Peace of Westphalia. It explores the interplay of religion and politics, the rise of religious pluralism, and the decline of the Holy Roman Empire. Key figures like Charles V and Henry IV are highlighted, along with the impact of the Spanish Inquisition and English Reformation. The guide also provides practice questions and exam tips.
#AP European History: Religious Conflicts - The Ultimate Study Guide 🚀
Hey there, future AP Euro master! Let's dive into the religious conflicts that shaped Europe. Remember, these aren't just about faith; they're also about power, politics, and people. Let's make sure you're ready to ace this!
#The Big Picture: Religion and Politics
Religion was both a cause and a tool in political conflicts. Monarchs and nobles used religious differences to gain power, while religious movements were often fueled by political and social grievances.
- Religious changes interacted with existing political tensions between nobility and monarchy.
- Nobles often adopted Protestantism to challenge Catholic monarchs (France).
- Monarchs sometimes became Protestant, while nobles remained Catholic (England).
#German Religious Conflicts 🔗
#German Peasants' War (1524–25) 🔗
- Inspired by Martin Luther's ideas, peasants revolted for social equality and religious freedom.
- Luther, horrified by the violence, supported the aristocracy in suppressing the revolt.
This highlights how religious ideas could be interpreted differently by different social classes.
### Schmalkaldic Wars (1546-47) and the Peace of Augsburg (1555) 🔗 - **Charles V** (Habsburg ruler of the Holy Roman Empire) faced the spread of Protestantism after the Diet of Worms. - German princes formed the **Schmalkaldic League** (Protestant) against Charles V. - **Peace of Augsburg (1555):**
Princes could choose either Lutheranism or Catholicism within their territories.
Remember, Calvinism was NOT included in the Peace of Augsburg!
Augsburg = "A"llows princes a choice (between Lutheranism and Catholicism).
The Peace of Augsburg, 1555
#French Religious Conflicts 🔗
#French Wars of Religion (1562 - 1598) 🔗
- Catholics vs. Huguenots (French Calvinists).
- Tension within aristocracy and monarchy.
- St. Bartholomew's Day Massacre (1572): A major massacre of Huguenots that intensified the conflict.
- War of the Three Henrys: A part of the French Wars of Religion.
- King Henry IV (Henry of Navarre):
Originally Protestant, converted to Catholicism (“Paris is worth a mass”).
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