Reformation and Consequences: Crash Course European History #7

Crash Course European History: Religious Reform and State Power

The Context of the Peace of Augsburg

• John Green introduces the topic, focusing on the spread of religious reform and state governance amidst warfare in Europe.

• The 1555 Peace of Augsburg temporarily settled religious divisions in the Holy Roman Empire but did not prevent turmoil across Europe.

Centralization and Professionalization of State Power

• Monarchs recognized the need to centralize power for better governance, particularly to fund military endeavors through improved tax collection and global expansion.

• The rise of "New Monarchs" aimed at consolidating power while facing challenges from splintering Protestant sects that threatened political unity.

Emergence of Radical Sects

• New religious sub-groups emerged from Protestantism, promoting radical ideas like direct connections to God, which challenged both religious hierarchies and monarchies.

• Anabaptists experimented with polygamy based on biblical interpretations, while Quakers encouraged women's roles in preaching and activism.

Jean Calvin's Influence

• Jean Calvin became a prominent reformer after fleeing France due to persecution; he established a theocracy in Geneva emphasizing strict moral regulations.

• Calvin introduced predestination as a core belief, asserting that God predetermined who would be saved or damned.

Henry VIII's Unique Approach to Protestantism

• Concurrently, Henry VIII utilized Protestantism for personal gain—seeking divorce and land acquisition post-War of Roses.

The Turbulent Succession of English Monarchs

The Rise and Fall of Edward VI and Mary I

• Henry VIII's son, Edward VI, ascended the throne at age 9 but died young at 15, likely from tuberculosis.

• After a power struggle, Mary I became queen, aiming to restore Catholicism in England through her marriage to Philip II of Spain.

• Mary's death in 1558 at age 42 left a significant impact on England's religious landscape.

Elizabeth I and the Spanish Armada

• Elizabeth I succeeded Mary and reinstated Protestantism while managing to defeat the Spanish Armada launched by Philip II due to bad weather.

• Despite an influx of gold from the New World, Philip II bankrupted Spain due to poor economic understanding and inflation issues.

Religious Conflict in France

• Calvinism's spread led to social unrest in France as city councils clashed over church-state roles; iconoclast movements emerged with people destroying religious statues.

• The rise of Gallicanism asserted French political authority over the Church rather than papal control.

The Huguenots and Civil War

• Religious wars erupted in France starting in 1559; tensions escalated leading to the St. Bartholomew’s Day Massacre where thousands of Huguenots were killed.

• Henry of Navarre survived the massacre, later converting to Catholicism for political stability while issuing the Edict of Nantes allowing Protestant practice.

Political Strategies Amidst Religious Strife

• Politically savvy monarchs like Henry IV sought middle ground during conflicts; those prioritizing political peace over personal beliefs were termed "politiques."

• Women's roles during this period were complex; despite Luther's views on women's governance being negative, many women engaged actively in education through Protestant reforms.

Lasting Changes from the Reformation

• The Protestant Reformation fostered new spiritual ideas across Europe that encouraged community formation among believers willing to leave their homes for faith.