European Wars of Religion

  • 1555

    Peace of Augsburg

    The Catholics and Lutherans of Germany found peace. Christianity was officially divided into Lutheranism and Roman Catholicism. This allowed followers and rulers to choose which one they wanted. If their ruler picked the religion they didn’t want then they could move.
  • Period: 1562 to

    French Wars of Religion

    A war between French Catholics and protestants (huguenots). It started because of the Massacre of Vassy in 1562. Roman Catholics were angry because Calvinism was spreading.
  • 1572

    Bartholomew’s Day Massacre

    This was a planned massacre by the Roman Catholics. They attacked Huguenot leaders including their houses and shops. This created an even bigger divide between Catholics and Huguenots.
  • Edict of Nantes

    A law that granted a large amount of religious liberty of the Protestant people (huguenots). This ended the wars of religion. It was very controversial but it did allow French Protestant minorities to have religious rights.
  • Period: to

    30 Years War

    This war was one of the longest and most vicious wars in history. The war was between Catholic and Protestant states. The Catholics won this war but there were over 8 million deaths in total.
  • Treaty of Westphalia

    This treaty ended the 30 years war. The Netherlands and Sweden gained independence. The Holy Roman Empire was broken up and rulers could again pick their religion.