Europe's WARS of RELIGION [AP Euro Review—Unit 2 Topic 4]

Summary

This video delves into Europe's tumultuous Wars of Religion, triggered by the Protestant Reformation. It begins with the rise of Calvinism in France, leading to the French Wars of Religion, marked by the St. Bartholomew's Day Massacre. The narrative then shifts to Spain's Philip II, who sought to crush Protestantism, notably in the Netherlands and England. The video culminates with the Thirty Years' War, which started over religious tensions in the Holy Roman Empire and evolved into a political struggle, concluding with the Peace of Westphalia that reshaped European religious and political landscapes.

Takeaways

• 😀 The Protestant Reformation led to religious conflicts in Europe, including the Wars of Religion.
• 🏰 France experienced religious tensions in the 1500s, with the rise of Calvinism and the Huguenots among the nobility.
• 👑 Catherine de Medici, acting as regent for her young son Charles IX, initiated the French Wars of Religion to suppress the Huguenot nobility.
• 🗡 The Massacre of Vassy and the St. Bartholomew's Day Massacre were pivotal violent incidents during the French Wars of Religion.
• 🤝 The marriage of Charles IX's sister to Henry of Navarre was an attempt to reconcile religious differences, but it led to further massacres.
• 👑 Henry of Navarre's conversion to Catholicism and subsequent ascension as Henry IV marked the end of the French Wars of Religion.
• 📜 The Edict of Nantes in 1598 established religious toleration in France, allowing Huguenots to worship freely.
• 🇪🇸 Spain, under Philip II, sought to maintain Catholic unity and opposed Protestantism, leading to conflicts in the Netherlands and England.
• 🚢 The Spanish Armada's failed invasion of England in 1588 was a significant setback for Spanish Catholic ambitions.
• 🏰 The Thirty Years' War in the Holy Roman Empire began with the Defenestration of Prague and evolved from religious to political motivations.
• 📜 The Peace of Westphalia in 1648 ended the Thirty Years' War, recognized the sovereignty of states, and marked the decline of the Holy Roman Empire.

Q & A

What was the primary cause of the French Wars of Religion?

The primary cause of the French Wars of Religion was the rise of Protestantism, specifically Calvinism, among the French nobility, which led to tensions with the Catholic majority and the Catholic ruling class.

Who were the Huguenots in the context of the French Wars of Religion?

The Huguenots were French Calvinists who sought recognition and rights within France, leading to conflicts with the Catholic majority and the French monarchy.

What significant event marked the beginning of the French Wars of Religion?

The Massacre of Vassy in 1562, where a group of Huguenots were killed during a worship service, marked the beginning of the French Wars of Religion.

Who was Catherine de Medici and what was her role in the French Wars of Religion?

Catherine de Medici was the mother of King Charles IX and effectively ruled France during his minority. She was a staunch Catholic and played a significant role in orchestrating events like the St. Bartholomew's Day Massacre against the Huguenots.

What was the significance of the St. Bartholomew's Day Massacre in 1572?

The St. Bartholomew's Day Massacre was a pivotal event where thousands of Huguenots were killed in Paris, escalating the religious conflict and solidifying the Catholic stance against the Protestants.

How did Henry of Navarre's religious conversion affect the French Wars of Religion?

Henry of Navarre's conversion to Catholicism and later back to Calvinism, and eventually his ascension as King Henry IV, played a crucial role in ending the French Wars of Religion and leading to the Edict of Nantes, which granted religious toleration to the Huguenots.

What was the Edict of Nantes and why was it significant?

The Edict of Nantes was a decree issued by King Henry IV in 1598 that granted the Huguenots freedom to worship and certain political rights, effectively ending the French Wars of Religion and promoting religious toleration in France.

How did the religious conflicts in France influence the broader religious wars in Europe?

The religious conflicts in France, particularly the French Wars of Religion, were part of a larger pattern of religious violence across Europe, including the Dutch Revolt and the Thirty Years' War, which were influenced by similar tensions between Catholics and Protestants.

What was the role of Spain in the religious conflicts of the time, particularly under Philip II?

Spain, under Philip II, played a significant role in the religious conflicts by attempting to restore Catholic unity across Europe. This included efforts to suppress Protestantism in the Netherlands and an unsuccessful attempt to invade England.

What were the main phases of the Thirty Years' War and how did they reflect the shifting motivations from religious to political?

The Thirty Years' War had four main phases: the Bohemian phase, the Danish phase, the Swedish phase, and the French phase. Initially, the war was driven by religious differences, but as it progressed, political motivations, such as the desire to weaken the Habsburgs, became more prominent.

What was the outcome of the Peace of Westphalia in 1648, and how did it change the religious landscape of Europe?

The Peace of Westphalia ended the Thirty Years' War and marked the end of the religious wars in Europe. It recognized the sovereignty of individual states, included Calvinism as a legitimate faith, and effectively ended the idea of a unified Christendom, leading to a more fragmented religious and political landscape.

Outlines

00:00

🏰 Wars of Religion in France

The script discusses the Protestant Reformation's impact on Europe, particularly France, where the spread of Calvinism led to tensions between Catholics and Protestants, known as Huguenots. The French Wars of Religion began in 1562 with the Massacre of Vassy and escalated with the St. Bartholomew's Day Massacre in 1572. Despite attempts at resolution through marriages, such as that of Charles IX's Catholic sister to Calvinist Henry of Navarre, violence persisted. The War of the Three Henrys followed, with Henry III, Henry of Guise, and Henry of Navarre vying for power. Henry of Navarre eventually became Henry IV, ending the French Wars of Religion with the Edict of Nantes in 1598, which granted religious freedom to Huguenots.

05:02

🕍 The 30 Years War

The script outlines the 30 Years War, which took place in the Holy Roman Empire and was a culmination of religious conflicts. The Peace of Augsburg in 1555 allowed for religious tolerance but only recognized Catholicism and Lutheranism, marginalizing Calvinism. The war began with the Defenestration of Prague and had four phases: the Bohemian, Danish, Swedish, and French phases. Each phase saw shifting alliances and motivations, transitioning from religious to political. The war concluded with the Peace of Westphalia in 1648, which ended the religious wars in Europe, recognized Calvinism, and decentralized power in the Holy Roman Empire, hastening its decline.

Keywords

💡Protestant Reformation

The Protestant Reformation was a major religious and political movement of the 16th century that led to the creation of Protestantism as a breakaway from the Roman Catholic Church. In the video, the Reformation is mentioned as a precursor to the Wars of Religion, setting the stage for religious conflicts across Europe. The Reformation's impact is seen in the rise of Calvinism and the spread of Protestant ideas, which were catalysts for the subsequent religious wars.

💡Huguenots

Huguenots were French Protestants, largely followers of John Calvin's teachings, who played a significant role in the French Wars of Religion. The video describes how the Huguenots, including a substantial portion of the French nobility, faced persecution and were involved in conflicts with the Catholic majority. The Huguenots' struggle for recognition and rights within France is a central theme in the narrative of the French religious wars.

💡Catherine de Medici

Catherine de Medici was the mother of King Charles IX of France and effectively ruled the country during his minority. In the video, she is portrayed as a staunch Catholic who opposed the Huguenot nobility and orchestrated events like the St. Bartholomew's Day Massacre, which aimed to purge France of the Protestant influence. Her actions exemplify the religious and political tensions of the time and the role of leadership in exacerbating or resolving conflicts.

💡St. Bartholomew's Day Massacre

The St. Bartholomew's Day Massacre was a series of killings in 1572, where thousands of Huguenots were killed by Catholics in Paris, under the influence of Catherine de Medici and King Charles IX. The video uses this event to illustrate the extreme violence and religious animosity that characterized the French Wars of Religion, and how it was a pivotal moment in the escalation of these conflicts.

💡Henry of Navarre

Henry of Navarre, also known as Henry IV of France, was a key figure in the French Wars of Religion. Initially a Huguenot leader, he converted to Catholicism to ascend to the throne, as discussed in the video. His reign marked the end of the French religious wars and the introduction of the Edict of Nantes, which granted religious toleration to Protestants. Henry's story demonstrates the complex interplay between personal beliefs, political power, and religious identity in the context of the Wars of Religion.

💡Edict of Nantes

The Edict of Nantes was a decree issued by Henry IV of France in 1598, which established religious toleration for Protestants in a predominantly Catholic nation. The video highlights the Edict as a significant step towards ending the French Wars of Religion and as a symbol of the beginning of religious freedom in France. It represents a political compromise aimed at fostering peace and stability after decades of religious conflict.

💡Philip II of Spain

Philip II was the King of Spain during the period of the Wars of Religion, known for his staunch Catholicism and efforts to counter the spread of Protestantism. The video mentions his role in the Dutch Revolt and the Spanish Armada's failed invasion of England. Philip II's policies and military campaigns reflect the broader Catholic response to the Reformation and the religious divisions within Christendom.

💡Thirty Years' War

The Thirty Years' War was a series of conflicts fought primarily in Central Europe between 1618 and 1648. It was one of the most destructive wars in human history and a major part of the broader religious conflicts of the time. The video outlines the war's four phases, illustrating how motivations shifted from religious to political over its course. The war's conclusion with the Peace of Westphalia marked the end of the religious wars in Europe and the decline of the Holy Roman Empire.

💡Defenestration of Prague

The Defenestration of Prague was an event in 1618 where Protestant Bohemian nobles threw Catholic representatives out of a window, leading to the Thirty Years' War. The video uses this incident to illustrate the tensions between Protestants and Catholics within the Holy Roman Empire and how local conflicts could escalate into broader wars. The defenestration is an example of the political and religious frictions that characterized the period.

💡Peace of Westphalia

The Peace of Westphalia, signed in 1648, ended the Thirty Years' War and is considered a cornerstone of modern international relations. The video explains how this treaty recognized the sovereignty of individual states within the Holy Roman Empire, effectively ending the idea of a unified Christendom. It also established the principle of cuius regio, eius religio, allowing rulers to determine the religion of their territories, which was a significant step towards religious pluralism in Europe.

Highlights

The Protestant Reformation led to religious conflicts in Europe, including wars among Christians.

In 1500s France, Protestantism, particularly Calvinism, spread among the population and nobility.

French Calvinists, known as Huguenots, sought recognition and rights within Catholic-majority France.

Catherine de Medici, acting as regent for her young son Charles IX, opposed Huguenot demands for recognition.

The French Wars of Religion began in 1562 with the Massacre of Vassy, targeting Huguenots during worship.

The St. Bartholomew's Day Massacre in 1572 was a large-scale killing of Huguenots orchestrated by Catherine de Medici.

Henry of Navarre, a Huguenot leader, converted to Catholicism to survive but later returned to Calvinism.

The War of the Three Henrys involved three contenders for the French throne amidst religious tensions.

Henry IV of France ended the French Wars of Religion and issued the Edict of Nantes for religious toleration in 1598.

Spain, under Philip II, aimed to restore Catholic unity in Europe and opposed Protestantism, especially in the Netherlands.

The Dutch Calvinists, led by William of Orange, declared independence from Spanish rule in 1581.

Philip II of Spain sent the Spanish Armada to invade Protestant England in 1588, but it was defeated by the English Navy.

The Thirty Years' War began with the Defenestration of Prague, a protest against Catholic rule in the Holy Roman Empire.

The war had four phases, with motivations shifting from religious to political as it progressed.

The Peace of Westphalia in 1648 ended the war, recognized Calvinism, and weakened the Holy Roman Empire.

The Peace of Westphalia marked the end of the medieval idea of a universal Christendom and increased state autonomy.

Transcripts

the last couple of videos we've been

talking about the protestant reformation

but you didn't think all the religious

change in europe wasn't gonna cause

christians to start killing each other

in the name of jesus did you don't be

crazy so if you're ready to get them

brain cows milk then let's talk about

europe's wars of religion i reckon we

ought to start in france so in the first

half of the 1500s most of the french

people were catholic but by the 1560s

protestantism had spread into france

thanks printing press and again a pretty

strong foothold now the particular

flavor of protestantism that had taken

root in france was calvinism and french

calvinists were known as huguenots now

this wouldn't have posed much of a

problem except that something like half

of the french nobility were now huguenot

and they started agitating for

recognition and rights within france but

the catholic majority were in no mood to

do so and that is when charles ix took

the throne and he was a wee lad coming

in at 11 years old so his mother

catherine de medici essentially ruled in

his place until he came of age now

catherine was a very catholic and she

was pretty saucy about these french

noble huguenot demanding recognition and

writing so she decided that she wanted

to purge france of this cranky

non-conforming nobility not least

because they were a threat to her power

and so the french wars of religion began

in 1562 with an event known as the

massacre of vastly essentially a group

of huguenots were at a worship service

you know just minding their own business

and singing to jesus when a duke of the

catholic geese family ordered them all

killed now the huguenot were not a

strong enough force to take over france

at this point but they fought

defensively for 10 years and held their

own until the next massacre orchestrated

by catherine de medici namely the saint

bartholomew's day massacre at this point

it's 1572 and all the religious tensions

seemed to be solved in the marriage of

the catholic sister of charles ix and

the calvinist henry of nevada now

because henry was the kind of de facto

leader of the huguenot many of them came

to paris for the wedding big mistake

he's family who if you will remember

were responsible for the huguenot

massacre of vassi convinced catherine de

medici that all these filthy calvinists

were a threat to catholic friends so

under her influence charles ix went

ahead and ordered the mass killing of

these huguenots and that unleashed a

three-day killing spree in which

catholics slaughtered thousands of

huguenots throughout paris now henry of

navarre the champion of the huguenot

their leader went ahead and saved his

own life by promising to convert to

catholicism i admire your cowardice but

don't worry he showed true moral

fortitude by converting back to

calvinism just in time for the next

phase of france's wars of religion the

war of the three henrys now class how

many henries do you think were involved

in this war three that is correct so as

the religious and political tension

continued to build three different

henry's vied for the throne of france by

1574 henry iii was on the throne having

succeeded charles ix but apparently he

was not catholic enough for henry of

geese who was the leader of the ultra

catholic holy league and wanted to

assume the throne himself so henry of

geese with the help of the spanish

throne took the french throne by force

relegating henry iii to his chief

minister as a result of that henry iii

had henry of geese assassinated and then

joined henry of navarre to rid paris of

the holy league and he did it but in

1589 a disgruntled monk assassinated

henry iii and that left henry of navarre

to take the throne now remember he had

converted back to calvinism but he

understood that such an arrangement

would be none too popular and so he went

ahead and converted back to catholicism

man doesn't know principles regardless

by the time of his ascension in 1594 as

henry iv the french wars of religion had

come to an end one of henry of the

fourth major achievements was the move

towards religious toleration in france

embodied in the edict of nant in 1598 it

officially established france as a

catholic state but also provided the

hugo no freedom to worship without the

fear that they will be massacred or

otherwise harassed but my dear pupils

religious wars were not just occurring

in france spain was a major player too

now spain was ruled by the habsburgs who

have been in power across europe for a

very long time and spain was as catholic

as catholic can be now by the time

philip the second rose to power in 1556

spain was having some ottoman empire

trouble in 1453 the ottomans had

completed their conquest of the

byzantine empire by capturing its crown

jewel constantinople and with that

victory the ottomans decided that the

next best thing to do would be to expand

into central and eastern europe so spain

with the help of the king of poland and

the duke of lorraine repelled the

ottoman forces and that put the kibosh

on the ottoman expansion into europe now

philip ii was pretty upset about the

fracturing of christianity across europe

and it's hard to overestimate just how

much he hated protestants he decided

that he wanted to restore catholic unity

across europe and he set his sights on

the netherlands and england to rid them

of their filthy protestant influence in

the netherlands there was a growing

calvinist contention especially in the

middle class now philip's dad charles v

was relatively tolerant of this group

and he let them do their thing but not

phillip when dutch calvinist began

destroying catholic religious images and

the word for that is iconoclasm philip

ii unleashed targeted persecution on

them so william of orange rose to the

leadership of the dutch calvinist and in

1581 they declared themselves

independent of spanish rule now spain

also had england problems by this point

elizabeth the first was on the throne

and she was all about the protestantism

she supported the dutch protestant

rebellion that i just mentioned and to

that philip of spain said no no you

didn't so because of that and because

england had been messing with spain's

merchant ships philip sent the spanish

armada to invade england and teach them

a lesson but as it turns out the english

navy gave the spanish armada a smackdown

and that victory combined with the dutch

protestant rebellion meant that

protestantism was gaining a foothold in

europe now the last religious war you

need to know might be the most

significant and it was called the 30

years war and it occurred in the holy

roman empire now in order to understand

this you have to understand the piece of

augsburg of 1555 which offered some

degree of religious toleration in the

holy roman empire this document decreed

that the princes of the many territories

of the holy roman empire could decide

whether their subjects would be catholic

or protestant but and here's the problem

when i say protestant i mean lutheran

now as you no doubt know by now

calvinism and lutheranism were separate

but related strains of protestantism and

calvinism was exerting some major

influence in the holy roman empire but

since the peace of augsburg had only two

options catholic or lutheran in the holy

roman empire the calvinists were like

yeah that ain't gonna work so when

catholic ferdinand became king in the

calves territory of bohemia things

started getting saucy as ferdinand

started a program of re-catholicizing

bohemia the calvinist nobility were like

and to emphasize their point the

nobility threw two of ferdinand's

messengers out a window in an event

known as the defenestration of prague

defenestration being a fancy word for

throwing someone out a window now these

officials fell something like 70 feet

and survive catholics said they survived

because of the intercession of the

virgin mary protestants pointed out that

their fall was broken by a giant pile of

manure now whether it was mary's

intercession or the poo i'm not

qualified to answer but this event set

off the 30 years war now there are four

phases of this war you need to know and

that can be confusing but the big idea

to notice here is that as we go through

the phases like as we move from phase

one to phase four the motivations for

fighting go from being primarily

religious to primarily political so

phase one the bohemian phase in this

phase the holy roman emperor and

catholic ferdinand ii defeated

protestant forces led by frederick the

first at the battle of white mountain

the result of this phase is that the

catholics gain the upper hand and

re-establish catholicism across many

places in the holy roman empire then

came phase two namely the danish phase

in this phase king christian iv of

denmark you know that's the danish part

he took up the protestant cause not

least because he was involved in an

anti-catholic anti-habsburg alliance

with england you can see here the

political motive starting to bleed in

now despite this help on the protestant

side the catholics still won this phase

of the war and then came phase three the

swedish phase in this phase the war

begins to extend beyond the borders of

the holy roman empire and king gustavus

adolphus of sweden organizes the

protestant cause and armies and scores a

major victory for the protestants now

one reason the protestants fared so well

is because gustavus adolphus was a

military genius but the other reason is

because the protestants received no

smaller financial help from france wait

a minute if i remember correctly from

the beginning of this video france was

catholic so what in the fresh heck are

they doing financing the protestant

struggle against the catholics well this

is the major turning point where we can

see that the religious character of the

war has clearly taken a back seat to

political concern you see the only thing

the catholic french leadership hated

more than protestants was the habsburgs

and so they didn't care that the

protestants were fighting against them

they just wanted to weaken the habsburg

influence anyway the fourth and final

phase of the war was the french phase

and here france entered into the war on

the side of the protestants and fought

mainly with spain to assure that the

habsburgs would not rebound from their

defeats and in 1648 the 30 years war

finally came to an end with the signing

of the peace of westphalia and there are

a couple of things you need to know

about this major turning point in

european history first it essentially

marked the end of the religious wars of

europe second it amended the peace of

augsburg to include calvinism as a

legitimate fate third with that further

splintering of protestantism it

officially marked the end of the

medieval idea of a universal christendom

and fourth it kept the holy roman empire

weak and the rulers of individual states

strong and in that way it hastened the

decline of the holy roman empire i know

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