Causes of Absolutism

By MissF2019
  • 1562

    French Wars of Religion

    French Wars of Religion
    The Protestant Reformation caused trouble across Europe. Many governments claimed that their country could only allow one religion - Catholic or Protestant (Lutheran, Calvinism, etc.). In France, the King said everyone had to be Catholic. War broke out between the government and the Protestant nobles known as Huguenots. The war ended with the Edict of Nantes in 1598, which said Catholics and Protestants (Huguenots) could practice freely.
  • 1566

    The Netherlands Rebels Against Spain

    The Netherlands Rebels Against Spain
    Spain was a Catholic country. King Philip II of Spain was known as the "Most Catholic King" and wanted his entire empire to be Catholic. Spain owned the Netherlands (see map) but the people of the Netherlands want to be Protestant. King Philip II sent 10,000 troops to crush the rebellion. The conflict ended in 1609 when the people of the Netherlands broke away and formed their own country.

  • Thirty Years War

    Thirty Years War
    Previously, the Peace of Augsburg said princes in the German area of the Holy Roman Empire could decide if their kingdoms could be Lutheran (Protestant) or Catholic. When more Protestant religions are created, a new war breaks out to decide if the Holy Roman Empire will allow those religions. The rest of Europe gets involved because they want to take over the Holy Roman Empire. Eventually the Treaty of Westphalia ends the war. More religions are allowed and the Holy Roman Empire shrinks in size.

  • Witchcraft Trials

    Witchcraft Trials
    People in Europe were incredibly focused on religion. Anyone who practiced a different religion - who's behavior went against social norms - could be accused of being a witch. These people were then tortured until they confessed to being witches. Stronger governments (and absolute monarchs) brought stability and led to the end of witchcraft trials and the executions of "witches."

  • Population of Europe Declines

    Population of Europe Declines
    Constant warfare over religions causes the population of Europe to decline, especially during the Thirty Years War. People die in battle but also from lack of food. Farmland is destroyed during the wars and that leaves people hungry.