Protestant Union and Catholic League in Germany

Both created because people didn’t adhere to the Peace of Augsburg – which didn’t include Calvinists

Ferdinand of Syria (King of Bohemia) Bohemia consisted of Czechs and Germans, Lutherans and Calvinists, Catholics and Hugeunots – all experienced religious freedom – Ferdinand however shut down Protestant Churches

May 23, 1618 – The Defenestration of Prague – Protestants hurled 2 of Ferdinand’s officials from a castle window in Prague

PHASE #1: Bohemian Phase

Civil War – Catholic League v. Protestant Union

Wanted liberty and independence from Hapsburg rule

PHASE #2: Danish Phase

Catholic leader was more interested in his own gain than in aiding the Catholic cause – dividing Catholic Forces and Making Religion a back issue in the war

RELIGIOUS

PHASES

POLITICAL

PHASES

1629 – Edict of Restitution

All Catholic properties lost to Protestants since 1552 were to be restored. Only Catholics and Lutherans could practice (Not Calvinists)

PHASE #3: Swedish Phase

Gustavus Adolphus – along with Denmark, Poland, Finland and smaller Baltic states, entered the war on the side of the Protestants

Ended the Hapsburg ambition of uniting all German States (Louis XIII subsidized Sweden)

PHASE #4: Franco-Swedish Phase

France joined on the Protestant side of the war against the Hapsburgs

1648 PEACE OF WESTPHALIA

Recognized sovereign independent authority of German Princes – 300+ Principalities – No ONE central government

Holy Roman Empire was destroyed

United Provinces of the Netherlands received its independence

Denied Papacy the right to intervene in German religious affairs

Reduced role of church in European politics

Peace of Augsburg was re-affirmed and included Calvinism

This settled little:

N. Germany = Protestant

S. Germany = Catholic

War was a disaster for the German Economy

Agricultural loss – land was destroyed

Population decline

Inflation created a “new serfdom”

PHILIP IIPHILIP II

Expand Spanish Expand Spanish Influence Across the Influence Across the GlobeGlobe

Strengthen the Strengthen the Catholic ChurchCatholic Church

Strengthen Strengthen InquisitionInquisition

Supported Catholic Supported Catholic ReformationReformation

Wanted his power Wanted his power to be ABSOLUTEto be ABSOLUTE

Religious Intolerance

Protestants who didn’t convert were expelled

Revolt in the Netherlands - Philip battled Protestant Rebels in the Netherlands

Strengthened the Inquisition

Protestant Queen Elizabeth became Philip’s #1 Enemy

May 9, 1588 “The Most Fortunate Fleet” – the storm, squalls, spoiled food, rank water, inadequate Spanish ammunition, and the Spanish ships went down on the Journey Home

Spain: 130 Vessels

123,790 Cannonballs

30,000 Men

England: 150 ships

They were smaller, faster, and more maneuverable

“It is well known that we fight in God’s cause. So, when we meet the English, God will surely arrange matters so threat we can grapple and board them, either by sending some strange freak of weather or, more likely, just be depriving the English of their wits. If we can come to close quarters Spanish valor and Spanish steel… will make our victory certain.”

Spain rebuilt its navy – quality improved after 1588

War between England and Spain continued for years

Prevented Phillip II from unifying with Europe

1609 – Phillip III signed a truce and the Netherlands officially received its independence

Spirit of defeatism in Spain

Enhanced English National Sentiment