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<youtube>https://www.youtube.com/watch?v==Introduction==Ej7eFLgFzN4</youtube>  __NOTOC__The Peace of Augsburg (1555) was a peace treaty that sought to end the religious struggle [[File: 759px-Carlos V en Mühlberg, by Titian, from Prado in Google Earth.jpg|300px|thumb|left|Emperor Charles V at the German lands and in Battle of Mulhberg]]The Peace of Augsburg (1555) was a peace treaty that sought to end the religious struggle in the German lands and the Holy Roman Empire in the mid-sixteenth century. The Peace of Augsburg was signed by Charles V, the Holy Roman Emperor, who was a Catholic and the Protestant Schmalkaldic League. The treaty of Augsburg was an attempt to end the series of religious wars that had destabilized the Holy Roman Empire, which was the largest political entity in Europe now. at the time. It led to  The treaty, also known a the Settlement of Augsburg that , sought to prevent Catholics and Protestants from going to war again and to end religious tensions and violence in Germanic the Imperial lands. The treaty briefly did maintain peace in the Holy Roman Empire , but the treaty ultimately failed. This article is concerned with the reasons for the failure of Why did the Peace of Augsburg fail, and why how did it ultimately led lead to the Thirty Years Wars. ?  The settlement ultimately failed because it did not, admit Calvinist to the terms of the treaty , and it failed was unable to define the religious status of the Episcopal states. Most importantly , it created a mutually hostile Protestant and a Catholic bloc in Central Europe and this directly . This hostility eventually led to the Thirty Years War, the most brutal conflict , according to some, in European history.  ====Why was the Peace of Augsburg necessary?====[[File: 759pxLucas Cranach d.Ä. (Werkst.) -Carlos V en Mühlberg, by Titian, from Prado in Google EarthPorträt des Martin Luther (Lutherhaus Wittenberg).jpg|200px300px|thumb|left|Emperor Charles V at the Battle of MulhbergPortrait of Martin Luther]]==Background==The Holy Roman Empire was a fragmented collection of largely independent states, of various sizes. The Holy Roman Emperor, who was a member of the House of Hapsburg , directly ruled some of the lands , but in the rest of the Empire he was only a ‘nominal head of state’state in the rest of the Empire.’<ref> Hale, JR, <i>Reformation Europe </i> (Pelican, London, 1998), p 134</ref>. The Hapsburg’s the hereditary rulers of Austria , were elected Emperor by the major states in the Empire, as .  As a result , it was a very de-centralized and a loose federation. It has often been likened to the modern European Union. In 1517 , Martin Luther nailed his 95 theses on the door of the Cathedral in WittenbenbergWittenberg. In these, he challenged the Pope's authority of the Pope and called for the reform of the Church based on the Bible. This Luther's actions initiated the Reformation in the Holy Roman Empire.  The Catholic Church attempted to suppress Luther , and he was forced to seek the protection of the ruler of Saxony. The message of Luther and his calls to reform the church was greeted enthusiastically in many parts of Germany. The elite and the urban middle class were tired of the corruption and worldliness of the Church. This led to the establishment of many break-away churches that refused to acknowledge the authority of the Pope. Many temporal rulers in Germany adopted Protestantism and secularized Church lands and established Protestant Churches in their land.  In 1531, these Protestant rulers came together to form the Schmalkaldic League, which was a a military and a political alliance , and they worked together to ‘promote and expand Protestantism’Protestantism.’<ref> Cameron, Euan. <i>The European Reformation </i> (Second ed.). (Oxford, Oxford University Press, 2002), p. 113</ref>. Charles V, was the Holy Roman Emperor and a Catholic , and he lost control of much of Germany to the League. He tried to enter negotiations with the Protestant League , but these were unsuccessful.  The supports supporters of Luther know knew that Charles was too preoccupied with his wars in Italy and with the Ottoman’s to intervene. It was only Only after Charles V had defeated the French king could he turn his attention to Germany affairs in Germany. He formed a League that aimed to destroy Protestantism and re-establish religious unity in the Empire. Charles and his army was successful were victorious and captured Saxony , and won a great victory at the Battle of Milberg.  Despite these defeats , the Protestants refused to come to terms and abandon their faith. Charles became aware that it would be impossible to destroy Protestantism. One of the members of his League members defected to the Protectants Protestants, and he helped them to win a minor victory. This persuaded shift convinced the aged and infirm Charles of the futility of any further war.  By the 1550s, Protestantism had been established too firmly within the Empire Central Europe to be ended by arms. Charles V wanted to secure the succession of his son 's succession to the Spain's throne in Spain and his nephew to the crown of the Holy Roman Emperor , and this required peace. He decided to ‘come to terms with the Protestants and this , which led ‘first to an armistice and then to the Treaty of Augsburg’ Augsburg.’ <ref>Von Friedeburg, Robert. "Cuius Regio, Eius Religio: The Ambivalent Meanings of State Building in Protestant Germany, 1555–1655." <i>In Diversity and Dissent: Negotiating Religious Difference in Central Europe, 1500-1800</i>, edited by Louthan Howard, Cohen Gary B., and Szabo Franz A. J., 73-91. Berghahn Books, 2011 </ref>. [[File: Lucas Cranach d.Ä. (Werkst.) - Porträt des Martin Luther (Lutherhaus Wittenberg). jpg|200px|thumb|left|Portrait of Martin Luther]]==The Treaty== The ====What did the Augsburg Settlement do?====The Peace of Augsburg, also called the Augsburg Settlement , was signed in September 1555 by Charles V, Holy Roman Emperor (the predecessor of Ferdinand I) , and the Schmalkaldic League, signed on 25 September 1555 at the imperial city of Augsburg .<ref>Elliot, J.H. <i>Imperial Spain 1469–1716</i>. Penguin Books (New York: 2002), p. 208</ref>. It officially ended the religious war and . It attempted to establish a religious settlement in the sprawling German lands.<ref> Hale, p. 134</ref>. The principle of <i>cuius regio, eius religio</i>, was the most important aspect of the treaty. This principle states that the ruler of the realm decided the faith of the people .<ref>Von Friedneburg, p 76</ref>. This was to ensure the states' internal unity of the states within the Holy Roman Empire. If a ruler was Catholic then , he could determine that all those who lived in his realm had to be Catholics. Those who did not accept the situation could migrate to a jurisdiction that was Protestant.  A Lutheran ruler had the same rights about the religion of his subjects as a Catholic. In There were the many Ecclesiastical States in the Holy Roman Empire, there were many Ecclesiastical States, such as the Cologne's city -state of Cologne.<ref>Hale, p. 117</ref>. These were realms that were ruled by Catholic Bishops or Archbishops. If a prelate changed his faith to Protestantism , he was expected to resign and make way for another Catholic bishop.<ref>Holborn, Hajo. <i>A History of Modern Germany, The Reformation </i> (Princeton: Princeton University Press), p. 195</ref>. Knights were also exempted from the requirement of religious uniformity , and they could still practice their faith even if it was were at odds with that of their ruler. One of the most important critical aspects of the Treaty was that it only applied to Lutherans and Catholics. Rulers who followed Calvinism and the teachings of the Anabaptists were not recognized.  The rights of members of these churches were also not recognized by the Peace , and they not accorded parity of esteem with Catholics and Protestants. The treaty sought to ensure a balance of power between Germanys’ Protestant Protestants and Catholics and in doing so to ensure peace and an end to sectarian strife. In It managed to end the war in the near term, it did manage to end but the war but religious conflict was to persist persisted in many areassome parts of Germany. The Peace of Augsburg guaranteed that the House of Hapsburg would continue to be elected the Imperial ruler. However, the Emperor had little or no control of northern Germany , the heartland of Lutheranism. == Religious tensions==The <dh-ad/> ====Did the Peace of Augsburg created a temporary end to hostilities, it did not resolve the underlying religious tension in Germany and in central Europetensions?====[[File: Karel Svoboda Defenestrace. There were continued tensions between Catholics and Protestants. Despite the agreement that those who jpg |300px|thumb|left|Defenestration of Prague 1618]]The Peace of Augsburg created a temporary end to hostilities; it did not share resolve the religion of the prince or ruler should conform or leave the realm, underlying religious tension in the treaty many did notGermany and central Europe. This meant that there There were rival groups of continued tensions between Catholics and Protestants living near each other in an uneasy peace. There are many instances Despite the agreement that those who did not share the religion of riots and violence between the two groups. The situation was made more complex by prince or ruler should conform or leave the spread of Calvinism realm, in the latter part of the sixteenth centurytreaty, many did not. Many Germans This meant that there were drawn to the teachings rival groups of Calvin Catholics and his ideas on the ‘elect’ and ‘predestination’Protestants living near each other in an uneasy peace. Several German rulers especially in Brandenburg There are many instances of riots and violence between the Rhineland tolerated Calviniststwo groups.  The Calvinists although Protestants were not Lutherans and they were distrusted and even persecuted situation was made more complex by Lutheran rulers. Catholics naturally saw them as just another Protestant sect. The rise the spread of Calvinism in Germany was not foreseen by the Peace latter part of Augsburg. At the time of the writing of the treaty they were a small groupsixteenth century. By the 1580s they Many Germans were a significant minority and their activities helped drawn to increase religious tensions in GermanyCalvin's teachings and his ideas on the ‘elect’ and ‘predestination. By the 1600s several ’ Several German rulers proclaimed themselves Calvinists, such as the Landgrave of Hesse-Kassel especially in Brandenburg and the Elector of BrandenburgRhineland, tolerated Calvinists. As The Calvinists, they although Protestants were not covered by the principle of ‘one ruler, one faith’, this threw the entire Peace of Augsburg into doubt. Furthermore, Calvinists because Lutherans and they were recognized under the distrusted and even persecuted by Lutheran rulers.  Catholics naturally saw them as just another Protestant sect. The Peace of Augsburg were in effect unable to secure any tolerance for their faith did not foresee the rise of Calvinism in Germany. At the Empire. This was to play an important part in time of the breakdown writing of the Augsburg Settlement. Indeedtreaty, the collapse of the Augsburg settlement can be attributed to actions borne out of Calvinists frustrationsthey were a small group. The so-called ‘defenestration of Prague’ involved Calvinists attacking and throwing representatives of By the Holy Roman Emperor out 1580s, they were a windowsignificant minority, and their activities helped increase Germany's religious tensions. This was to trigger By the Thirty Years War that left most 1600s, several rulers proclaimed themselves Calvinists, such as the Landgrave of Hesse-Kassel and the Elector of central Europe a wasteland <ref> WilsonBrandenburg. As Calvinists, Peter, The Thirty Years War: Europe's Tragedy. London: Belknap Presthey were not covered by the principle of ‘one ruler, 2011), pone faith. 67</ref>’ This threw the entire Peace of Augsburg into doubt. [[File: Karel Svoboda Defenestrace.jpg |200px|thumb|left|Defenestration of Prague 1618]]==Bishops and Rulers==In the Holy Roman EmpireFurthermore, Calvinists, because they were recognized under the Peace of Augsburg, there were very many ecclesiastical principalities and they ranged in size from a small town effect unable to large territories, often containing significant urban centers such as Colognesecure any tolerance for their faith in the Empire. The Treaty after protracted negotiations had This was to deal with play an important part in the issue breakdown of ecclesiastics who converted to Lutheranism. The Catholic side was concerned that if a bishop or another religious leader converted that his realm would become Lutheranthe Augsburg Settlement. This had happened during Indeed, the Reformation. The Head collapse of the Teutonic Knights in Prussia, originally an order Augsburg settlement can be attributed to actions borne out of warriorCalvinists' frustrations. The so-monks had converted to Protestantism called ‘defenestration of Prague’ involved Calvinists attacking and as throwing the Holy Roman Emperor's representatives out a result all window. This was to trigger the Prussian territories had become Protestant. The Catholics demanded Thirty Years War that any bishop or religious leader that had converted to Lutheranism should return his realm as by rights their lands belonged to the Catholic Churchleft most of central Europe a wasteland. However<ref> Wilson, Peter, those bishops and others who had converted refused to return their lands and became the secular ruler of the former ecclesiastical principalities<i>The Thirty Years War: Europe's Tragedy</i>. This was a source of continuing tension between the Protestants and the Catholics London: Belknap Press, 2011), p. 67</ref> ====Bishops and Rulers====In the Holy Roman Empire, there were very many of the latter believed that the Protestant side had not respected or fully implemented the treaty of Augsburgecclesiastical principalities. This led They ranged in size from a small town to frequent clashes between both members of both confessions over the future of Episcopal principalities. For examplelarge territories, in the often containing significant urban centers such as Cologne War (1583-1588). The Treaty, after protracted negotiations, when had to deal with the prince-archbishop became a Protestant it led issue of ecclesiastics who converted to a brutal sectarian war between Catholics and LutheransLutheranism. The Catholic side was concerned that a bishop or another religious leader converted that his realm would become Lutheran. One of This had happened during the principal causes Reformation. The Head of the Thirty Years War was the ‘lack Teutonic Knights in Prussia, originally an order of clarity over warrior-monks, had converted to Protestantism, and as a result, all the status of these episcopal princedoms’<ref> WilsonPrussian territories had become Protestant. p 67</ref>. ==Dividing Christendom==The Settlement of Augsburg effectively led Catholics demanded that any bishop or religious leader that had converted to Lutheranism should return his realm as by rights their lands belonged to the partition of Germany into two separate confessional blocs, one Catholic and Church.  However, those bishops and others who had converted refused to return their lands and became the other Protestant, even though they all inhabited secular ruler of the Holy Roman Empireformer ecclesiastical principalities. It wanted to establish This was a balance source of power continuing tension between them to ensure peace in the EmpireProtestants and the Catholics. The settlement did succeed in establishing a balance Many of power in Germany but it was never a stable one and it only lasted so long because the Hapsburgs were distracted elsewhere. The Augsburg Treaty latter believed that the Protestant side had effectively partitioned not only the Holy Roman Empire but also Christendom<ref> Hale, p. 118</ref>respected or fully implemented Augsburg's treaty. This was led to frequent clashes between both members of both confessions over the old concept future of a common realm that was ChristianEpiscopal principalities. After For example, in the Cologne War (1583-1588), when the Peace of Augsburg Germany was composed of two separate confessions who did not trust each other prince-archbishop became a Protestant, it led to a brutal sectarian war between Catholics and thought each other hereticsLutherans. They both sought to gain an advantage over One of the other and to increase their territory at Thirty Years War principal causes was the expense ‘lack of clarity over the otherstatus of these episcopal princedoms.’<ref> Wilson. The settlement of Augsburg did end a war but it also copper-fastened p 67</ref> ====What did the division on the Empire into a Catholic and a Protestant bloc. When the balance Peace of power broke down in 1618, these two mutually hostile religions began a war that was unprecedented in its loss of life and destructionAugsburg accomplish?====<ref>Wilson, p. 656</refdiv class="portal" style='float:right; width:35%'>.  ====Related Articles===={{#dpl:category=German History|ordermethod=Conclusionfirstedit|order=descending|count=6}}</div>The Peace of Augsburg was intended led to give the partition of Germany a lasting peace into two separate confessional blocs, one Catholic and the other Protestant, even though they all inhabited the Holy Roman Empire. It sought to give it establish a religious settlement that would prevent future religious warsbalance of power between them to ensure peace in the Empire. The settlement was successful did succeed in the sense that it did prevent establishing a general religious war balance of power in Germany and Central Europe until 1618. HoweverStill, the settlement reached at Augsburg in 1555 it was fundamentally unstable never a stable one, and its failure was almost guaranteedit only lasted so long because the Hapsburgs were distracted elsewhere. Those who drafted the treaty failed to recognize that the growth of Calvinism would destabilize it and increase sectarian tensions in The Augsburg Treaty had effectively partitioned not only the Holy Roman Empirebut also Christendom.<ref> Hale, p. Because they were not covered by the terms 118</ref>  After Augsburg's Peace, Germany was composed of the treaty they often worked against it and this was to lead to conflict in Bohemia two separate confessions that triggered the Thirty Years War. Then the settlement did not resolve the status of episcopal principalities whose bishop had converted trust each other and saw each other as heretics. They both sought to Lutheranism gain an advantage over the other and this was to poison relations between both sides for decadesincrease their territory at the other's expense. Perhaps Augsburg's settlement did end a war, but it also copper-fastened the most significant failure division of the settlement was that it created Empire into a Catholic and a Protestant bloc. When the balance of power broke down in 1618, these two mutually hostile blocs, religions began a war that was unprecedented in its loss of life and there was no mechanism designed by the settlement to defuse tensions or to resolve conflictsdestruction.<ref>Wilson, p. This led to the collapse of 656</ref> ====Was the Peace of Augsburg and the Thirty Years War, one successful?====The Peace of the greatest tragedies in Europe’s long historyAugsburg was intended to give Germany a lasting peace that would prevent future religious wars. The settlement was successful because it did prevent a general religious war in Germany and Central Europe until 1618.However, Augsburg's settlement in 1555 was fundamentally unstable, and its eventual failure was almost guaranteed. Those who drafted the treaty failed to recognize that the growth of Calvinism would destabilize the agreement and increase sectarian tensions in the Empire. Because the terms of the treaty did not cover them, they often worked against it, which led to Bohemia's conflict that triggered the Thirty Years War.  The settlement failed to resolve the episcopal principalities' status whose bishops had converted to Lutheranism, which was to poison relations between both sides for decades. Perhaps the most significant failure of the settlement was that it created two mutually hostile blocs. There was no mechanism designed by the settlement to defuse tensions or resolve conflicts. This led to the collapse of the Peace of Augsburg and the Thirty Years War, one of the greatest tragedies in Europe’s long history. ====References====<references/> {{Contributors}}[[Category:Wikis]] [[Category:German History]] [[Category:16th Century History]] [[Category:European History]]