The Dissimulation of War

During the 1500s, war broke out across Europe. At first the wars were religious wars. Then they became both religious and political wars. Finally, they became political wars disguised as religious wars. We can see this progression in the defeat of the Spanish Armada and the Thirty Years War.

First up, the Spanish Armada.

This is where war is purely religious: 

The 7 Protestant provinces of the Netherlands wanted independence from Philip, a Spanish, catholic ruler. In order to defeat Philip II the provinces needed help. So, they called for the assistance of Queen Elizabeth, an English, Protestant ruler. 

Also, Mary, a Roman Catholic and Queen Elizabeth’s sister, was accused of plotting to assassinate Elizabeth. Philip II wanted to reunite Catholic Europe, so he was going to support Mary. But, Mary got caught and was beheaded. Philip and the Pope were mad when they heard about this they wanted to fight England.

Here is where religious and political wars get intertwined:

Queen Elizabeth was hesitant about helping the seven provinces because she didn’t want to stir up trouble with Philip, but gave in. The wars in the Low countries were hurting the English economy, the murder of William the Silent eliminated a great Protestant leader, and the collapse of Antwerp appeared to signal a Catholic sweep through the Netherlands. 

Queen Elizabeth is a lot like my brother. He was hesitant about riding the roller coaster.  Circumstances (my family) made him ride the roller coaster. As soon as the roller coaster took off he realized he probably should not have ridden the roller coaster. But, he came off the roller coaster happy and victorious over conquering his fear. See the metaphor? 

Here is where the war becomes political: 

Philip is now not only angry about the killing of Mary, but also because Elizabeth is helping the rebels. He knew that in order to gain back the Netherlands he had to take England out of the picture. Ultimately, land and power is what’s important to these guys.

He needed to consolidate his empire and to do this he could not let anything break away. Philip then sent out the Spanish Armada which we all know was defeated. The English seemed like the underdogs going into this but they came out on top. As a result, the English had a new sense of national spirit and the Spanish came out with a defeatist attitude. 

How it was disguised as religious: 

It seemed like Philip was doing all this for the cause of Catholicism, but he was really doing it for political dominance. 

Now let’s talk about the Thirty Years War:

This is where the war was purely religious: 

Lutheran princes formed a Protestant Union and Catholic princes formed a Catholic League. Each alliance was determined to not let the other get ahead. They were kind of like a fraternity.

Here is where religious and political wars get intertwined:

In Bohemia Ferdinand was the head of the Catholic league and Frederick was the head of the Protestant Union. (What up with the Ferdinands and Fredericks?) The hurling of two of Ferdinands officials by Protestants started the Thirty Years war. The Bohemians were fighting for religious liberty and independence from Habsburg rule because who doesn’t want independence? Oh yeah Scottland (thanks Becky for the connection) Eventually, the Catholics would win in Bohemia. 

Don't mess with the frat. It leads to war. 

Here is where the war becomes political:

In the Danish phase of the war, King Christian IV was protestant and he fought Albert of Wallensteing, a Catholic. They were both fighting for power in the name of religion. Wallenstein wins and therefore the Catholics win. In the Sweden, once again a protestant political power fights a catholic power. The protestants win. France enters the war under Protestants, which is ironic because they are Catholic. They did this because they don’t like the Habsburgs, who’s rulers are Catholic. The Protestants win in France. Much like World War I, there is a tie and nothing changes from the start of the war to the end. 

Peace of Westphalia: Princes could determine the religion of their state. In the Peace of Augsburg, princes could choose from Catholicism or Lutheranism. In the Peace of Westphalia, the option of Calvinism is added. Also the independence of the United Provinces of the Netherlands was acknowledged. 

Not

How it was disguised as religious:

Religion was used as a front for princes who wanted to get out of the thumb of the pope/emperor. It seemed like everyone was fighting for religion but they were not.

Why both wars were disguised as religious:

These wars are showing that political leaders thought it was ok to have a religion, just as long as the religion was the same as theirs. Pluralism was believed to political chaos and that can’t happen.

 

So, political leaders had to fight in the name of religion to gain political power.