1550 1715 Calvinism and Catholicism had become militant

1550 -1715

� Calvinism and Catholicism had become militant religions. Why? � French Wars of Religion � Huguenots were French Protestants and a powerful threat to the crown. � Catholic majority greatly outnumbered them. Ultra-Catholics Strongly opposed the Huguenots � Conflict lasted for over thirty years. � Henry IV took the throne. � Political leader of the Huguenots but converted to Catholicism. � He issued the Edict of Nantes Recognized Catholicism as the official religion of France, but gave Huguenots the right to worship and to political privileges.

Philip II – Greatest supporter of militant Catholicism. � Goals: � � � Nobles of this area greatly resented this. � Outraged people by trying to end Calvinism. � William, the prince of Orange, helped to end his attempted domination of this area. � Consolidate lands � Strict conformity to Catholicism � Absolute monarchy � The “Most Catholic King” was both a success and failure at championing the Catholic faith. He sought to strengthen his control over the Spanish Netherlands as well. � He had left Spain bankrupt with an out dated army, and an inefficient government.

� From 1560 to 1650, Europe experienced a severe economic and social crisis. Due to: � Inflation � Smaller amounts of available gold and silver � Growing population � The religious zeal that led to the Inquisition and the hunt for heretics was extended to the belief in witchcraft.

� Religious disputes continued in Germany after the Peace of Augsburg. � The war began in 1618 in the lands of the Holy Roman Empire. � Catholics – Led by Hapsburg Holy Roman � Protestants – Led by Calvinist nobles. emperors. � However, France got involved which turned the war into a political conflict. Several major European powers did… � Conflict lasted for more than thirty years, but ended with the Peace of Westphalia. � All German states could determine their own religion. � The more than 300 states that made up the Holy Roman Empire became independent states.

� Complaints grew until England slipped into Civil War. Adversaries were: �Cavaliers – Supporters of the King, Charles I �Roundheads – Supporters of Parliament � Parliament was successful due to the assistance of the New Model Army of Oliver Cromwell. �“Rump Parliament” soon took over. �Executed Charles I �Abolished both the monarchy and the House of Lords �England was now a commonwealth.

� Charles II is restored to absolute power after the death of Cromwell. � Parliament and the monarchy begin to have disputes over the religious beliefs. � Parliament passes the Exclusion Bill: �Would have barred James II from the throne. �Created two groups: Whigs and Tories � Charles II dismisses Parliament, and then upon his death James II takes the throne.

� Gave Parliament more power than the monarchy. �Right to make laws and levy taxes �Armies could only be raised with their approval �Citizens had the right to bear arms and a jury trial �Created a freely elected Parliament �Laid the foundation for a limited, constitutional monarchy.

� The Board of Directors at the Louvre art museum in Paris have a new project in mind. They hope to create a memorial in honor of the “Sun King, ” Louis XIV. You are a member of the Board of Trustees, who decide on whether or not projects are funded. Each trustee must compose a letter in favor of the memorial or opposing the construction of the memorial. If the majority agree, the project will move forward. What do you think?