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Calvinism appears during the Protestant Reformation in 1517-1580 in Switzerland, Scotland, Netherlands, Hungary, and France.
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Peace of Augsburg declares the ruler chooses the religion of his land. This causes Calvinism to spread rapidly throughout Europe. Some examples are Scotland, England, and the Netherlands. In Scotland, the ruler chose Calvinism, but in England and the Netherlands, the people chose Calvinism against the rulers wishes.
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The spread of Calvinism drops sharply and loses ground in some places during ongoing violent struggles with Christian governments in Franch and England.
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Calvinists were fleeing persecution in Europe when they took the Mayflower to America. Two thirds of the colonial population followed Calvinist traditions. Many founders of states and early governors were Calvinists. Calvinism was the ruling religion during the entire colonial period in America. Because of this, Calvin is called the "father of America."
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After violent conflicts between the Christian government and the few remaining Calvinists in France, Calvinism is abolished by King Louis XIV in 1685.
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Calvinism declines during the 1800s.
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Today, over 50 million people worldwide call themselves some form of Calvinist. There are Calvinist churches in over 30 countries in Europe, Asia, and the Middle East. Lately, Calvinist literature has become popular again, causing the Calvinist movement to gain followers.
