17C - Wars of Religion & 17th Century Upheaval Module Overview

 

Wars of Religion & 17th Century Upheaval.

Introduction

As the Reformation helped to define the social and political nature of the modern European state, the Age of Exploration further defined these states primarily along economic lines.  The economic practice of mercantilism became the dominant economic system of the day.  Mercantilism was a system based on a relationship between colonies and mother countries based on trade.  The heart of the mercantilist system was two fold:  it was a government driven system with colonization and exclusive trade relations being the key to its success.  Given these circumstances, intense competition and tension developed over the issue of trade.  As a result, the two most common reasons for almost constant warfare in the 17th century was competition for trade relationships and alignment as well as the prejudice and antagonism which developed in the name of religion.

This era is marked by the continuing and very destructive warfare primarily between Protestants and Catholics. During this period, any sense of national unity that existed was deeply threatened. There was a general erosion of trust between people who lived in the same country, even the same town. They turned against each other in the name of a higher cause. By the mid 17th century some areas, such as France, were able to recover and rebuild. . . others, such as Germany, would not recover for centuries.

Image - The Surrender of Breda by Diego Velazquez (Baroque painting depicting a Spanish victory during the Dutch revolt.)

 

Essential Questions

• What role did the Reformation play in the onset and extent of the Age of Exploration?
• How did the rivalry between Portugal and Spain influence the two country's motivations for financing expeditions? Which expeditions were byproducts of these motivations?
• What impact did the explorations of the 16th century have on European life and culture?
• How did the exploration efforts of European countries affect their relationships with one another?
• What were the economic and social problems that plagued Europe throughout the 17th century?  Would you consider Europe to be in "crisis mode" during this century?
• The 30 Years War has been labeled the last of the wars of religion while it has also been considered the first modern war.  Which of these labels is most accurate?  Why?
• How did the art and the literature in the second half of the 17th century reflect the political and social characteristics of the period?
• What were the long and short term consequences of the 30 Years War to the German states?  To Europe as a whole?
• Why was the late 16th century considered the Golden Age of Spain?  To what degree was the "Golden Age" a result of the rule of Philip II?
• What factors contributed to the decline of Spain as a major European power?
• What were the causes, progression, and results of the 30 Years War?
• What was the cause of the French Wars of Religion?  What were the short and long term consequences of this civil war?
• How do the wars of religion illustrate the breakdown of cohesiveness and stability of the nations on the European continent?
• What role did the Renaissance, the Reformation, and the Age of Exploration play in the instability of Europe during the 17th century?

 

Textbook Assignment and Unit Review Form

As you work through this module, be certain to read the Explorations and Wars of Religion chapters in your textbook. As you are reading, you may wish to jot down notes in the unit review form. Please pay close attention to reasons for upheaval, and the resulting treaties/edicts. This is for your notes, not to submit.

Click here to download a copy of the unit review form. Links to an external site.

 

Key Terms and People

There are several people and items you need to look over for this module. Be sure to download the ID list (linked below) - EVEN if you do not plan on defining them for your notes. This is for your notes, not to submit. You need to look over the list of terms to see what you will need to pay particular attention to in this module.

Click here to download a copy of the ID List for this module. Links to an external site.

 

RESOURCES IN THIS MODULE ARE OPEN EDUCATIONAL RESOURCES (OER) OR CREATED BY GAVS UNLESS OTHERWISE NOTED. SOME IMAGES USED UNDER SUBSCRIPTION.