Western History 90: What happened during the Religious Wars of the 16th century?

The year 1517 is normally associated with the Protestant Reformation. From the date forward until the Treaty of Westphalia in 1648 Europe would be split largely along religious lines that reflected the Three Christian Traditions – Catholicism, Lutheranism and Calvinism. Added complexities that emerged from the power politics of the day, such as Catholic France standing in opposition to the Catholic Holy Roman Emperor, would further complicate a brutal and bloody period in European history.

What follows is a timeline of the key events leading up to but not including the Thirty Years war (1618-1648).

1522 – Knights Revolt in Germany against Roman Catholic Church

1524-1525 – German Peasant’s War. Ends in failure.

1535 – Anabaptist riots in Amsterdam

1546-1547 – First Schmalkadic War –Imperial forces defeat Schmalkadic Lutheran League

1552-1555- Second Schmalkadic War(or Prince’s revolt) – Protestant victory confirmed in Treaty of Augsburg. Rulers under the Holy Roman Empire banner could choose between Catholicism and Lutheranism within their state. Calvinism was still excluded.

1562-1598 – French Wars of Religion – Uneasy Truce. Allows for the Emergence of Henry IV of Bourbon (discussed later).

1568-1648 – Eighty Years War - Peace of Münster grants the Protestant Dutch independence from Spain. Southern Netherlands (largely Belgium today) still associated with Spain.