According to the reading by C.V. Wedgwood, the years leading up to the 30 Year War in Europe were full of chaotic and dangerous collisions of religious differences and family loyalties, facilitated by a weak governing structure in Germany.
Toward the end of the sixteenth century, religious factions increased in number and strength in Europe. There existed the two largest divisions, Catholics and Protestants, the latter mostly divided between Calvinists and Lutherans. Religious affiliation was incredibly strong at the time, and Wedgwood explained that "loyalty to a cause or to a religion, even to a master was commonly more highly esteemed than loyalty to a country. (pg 15)" The people cared more about their religious freedom than political ties, wreaking havoc for leaders of the time.
Another aspect contributing to the complexity of the time was the rivalry between families, most importantly the Hapsburgs. At this time the Hapsburg dynasty controlled Spain, Austria, most of Italy, and the Spanish Netherlands, most of the New World, and all of these territories were under Catholic rule. A northern sector of the Netherlands was won by Dutch Protestants, but after a twelve-year truce the Spaniards were legally allowed to try and reclaim the land. At this time most of Europe was already bracing itself for a Protestant vs Catholic showdown in the Netherlands. What most of Europe didn't realize was the intense heat that was brewing in the Holy Roman Empire.
Not only were the Hapsburgs in control in Spain, but they also controlled the crown in Bohemia. Bohemia served as part of the complex conglomeration of small territories ruled by princes in the Germanic Holy Roman Empire. The empire was divided between all three religious sects, and it was decided that each prince could determine the proper religion for his territory. This did little to relieve tensions between the three major religious factions. In Bohemia, which was ruled by a Catholic Hapsburg but primarily a Protestant population, tensions began to flair when searching for an heir to the throne. Hapsburgs wanted to keep the crown in the family, but the Bohemians--and most others--were strongly opposed the increasing Hapsburg influence in European politics. To make matters worse, the only two legitimate options were air-headed and inconsistent Frederick, a Protestant, and Ferdinand--Catholic, Hapsburg, and Brutal.
At the beginning of the conflict Hapsburgs fared well because of their Catholic background. Europe was strongly divided religiously, and even many rulers who were frankly sick of Hapsburg influence preferred a Catholic ruler to a Protestant. Secondly, Protestants were greatly divided into Calvinists and Lutherans, and unable to trust let alone work together. These factors led to the success of the Hapsburg dynasty, with all of its possessions and riches, at least at the beginning of the conflict.
Dear Ashley,
ReplyDeleteThis is another solid post - a question though - how do the above readings connect to your background in West European/Hispanic history? How is your sense of the Spanish Kings Felipe II, Felipe III and Felipe IV and the beginnings of Spanish America and other Spanish colonies (as well as the ties between the Spanish-Dutch conflicts of the 17th century's connections to the 30 Years War) developing in light of what you are reading here?