Changes

The Peace of Augsburg (1555) was a peace treaty that sought to end the religious struggle in the German lands and in 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 at the time.  The treattreaty, also known a the Settlement of Augsburg , sought to prevent Catholics and Protestants from going to war again and to end religious tensions and violence in the Imperial lands. The treaty briefly did maintain peace in the Holy Roman Empire, but the treaty ultimately failed. Why did the Peace of Augsburg fail, and how did it lead to the Thirty Years Wars?

The treaty did maintain peace in the Holy Roman Empire but the treaty settlement ultimately failed. This article is concerned with the reasons for the failure of the Peace of Augsburg and why it ultimately led to the Thirty Years Wars. The settlement 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.

===Background=What conflict did the Peace of Augsburg end?==

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 statein 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 a result, it was a very 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 Wittenbenberg. In these, he challenged the authority of the Pope and called for the reform of the Church based on the Bible. This initiated the Reformation in the Holy Roman Empire.

The Catholic Church attempted to suppress Luther and he As a result, it was forced a very loose federation. It has often been likened to seek the protection of the ruler of Saxonymodern European Union. The message of In 1517, Martin Luther and nailed his calls to reform the church was greeted enthusiastically in many parts of Germany. The elite and 95 theses on the urban middle class were tired door 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 Cathedral in their landWittenberg. In 1531these, these Protestant rulers came together to form he challenged the Schmalkaldic League, which was a military Pope's authority and a political alliance and they worked together to ‘promote and expand Protestantism.’<ref> Cameron, Euan. <i>The European Reformation</i> (Second ed.). (Oxford, Oxford University Press, 2002), p. 113</ref> Charles V was called for the Holy Roman Emperor and a Catholic and he lost control of much reform of Germany to the League. He tried to enter negotiations with Church based on the Protestant League but these were unsuccessfulBible. The supports of Luther know that Charles was too preoccupied with his wars in Italy and with 's actions initiated the Ottoman’s to intervene. It was only after Charles V had defeated the French king could he turn his attention to affairs in Germany. He formed a League that aimed to destroy Protestantism and re-establish religious unity Reformation in the Holy Roman Empire. Charles and his army was successful and captured Saxony and won a great victory at the Battle of Milberg.

Despite these defeatsThe Catholic Church attempted to suppress Luther, 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 defected to the Protectants and he helped them was forced to win a minor victory. This persuaded seek the aged and infirm Charles protection of the futility ruler of any further warSaxony. 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 The message of Luther and his son calls to reform the throne church was greeted enthusiastically in many parts of Spain Germany. The elite and his nephew to the crown urban middle class were tired of the Holy Roman Emperor corruption and this required peaceworldliness of the Church. He decided to ‘come This led to terms with the Protestants and this led ‘first to an armistice and then establishment of many break-away churches that refused to acknowledge the Treaty authority of Augsburg.’ <ref>Von Friedeburg, Robertthe Pope. "Cuius Regio, Eius Religio: The Ambivalent Meanings of State Building Many temporal rulers in Protestant Germany, 1555–1655." <i>In Diversity adopted Protestantism and secularized Church lands and Dissent: Negotiating Religious Difference established Protestant Churches in Central Europe, 1500-1800</i>, edited by Louthan Howard, Cohen Gary Btheir land., and Szabo Franz A. J., 73-91. Berghahn Books, 2011 </ref>

===The Treaty===The Peace of AugsburgIn 1531, also called these Protestant rulers came together to form the Augsburg Settlement was signed in September 1555 by Charles VSchmalkaldic League, Holy Roman Emperora military and a political alliance, and the Schmalkaldic League, signed on 25 September 1555 at the imperial city of Augsburg‘promote and expand Protestantism.’<ref>ElliotCameron, J.HEuan. <i>Imperial Spain 1469–1716The European Reformation</i>(Second ed. Penguin Books ) (New York: Oxford, Oxford University Press, 2002), p. 208113</ref> It officially ended Charles V was the religious war Holy Roman Emperor and attempted to establish a religious settlement in the sprawling German lands.<ref> HaleCatholic, p. 134</ref> The principle and he lost control of cuius regio, eius religio, was the most important aspect much 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 Germany to ensure the internal unity of the states within the Holy Roman EmpireLeague. If a ruler was Catholic then he could determine that all those who lived in his realm had He tried to be Catholics. Those who did not accept enter negotiations with the situation could migrate to a jurisdiction that was ProtestantLeague, but these were unsuccessful.

A Lutheran ruler had the same rights about the religion The supporters of Luther knew that Charles was too preoccupied with his subjects as a Catholicwars in Italy and the Ottoman’s to intervene. In Only after Charles V had defeated the Holy Roman Empire, there were many Ecclesiastical States, such as the city state of CologneFrench king could he turn his attention to Germany affairs.<ref>Hale, p. 117</ref> These were realms He formed a League that were ruled by Catholic Bishops or Archbishops. If a prelate changed his faith aimed to destroy Protestantism he was expected to resign and make way for another Catholic bishopre-establish religious unity in the Empire.<ref>Holborn, Hajo. <i>A History of Modern Germany, The Reformation</i> (Princeton: Princeton University Press)Charles and his army were victorious and captured Saxony, p. 195</ref> Knights were also exempted from the requirement of religious uniformity and they could still practice their faith even if it was won a great victory at odds with that of their ruler. One of the most important aspects Battle of the Treaty was that it only applied to Lutherans and Catholics. Rulers who followed Calvinism and the teachings of the Anabaptists were not recognizedMilberg.

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 his League members defected to the Protestants, and he helped them win a minor victory. This 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 his son's succession to Spain's throne and his nephew to the crown of the Holy Roman Emperor, and this required peace. He decided to ‘come to terms with the Protestants, which led ‘first to an armistice and then to the Treaty of 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> ==How do you Define the Peace of Augsburg?==The Peace of Augsburg, also called the Augsburg Settlement, was signed in September 1555 by Charles V, Holy Roman Emperor, and the Schmalkaldic League signed on 25 September 1555 at the imperial city 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. 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 within the Holy Roman Empire. If a ruler was Catholic, 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. There were the many Ecclesiastical States in the Holy Roman Empire, such as Cologne's city-state.<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 were at odds with that of their ruler. One of the most 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 the war but the 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 Did the Peace of Augsburg end religious tensions=?==

The Peace of Augsburg created a temporary end to hostilities, ; it did not resolve the underlying religious tension in Germany and in central Europe. There were continued tensions between Catholics and Protestants. Despite the agreement that those who did not share the religion of the prince or ruler should conform or leave the realm, in the treaty , many did not. This meant that there were rival groups of Catholics and Protestants living near each other in an uneasy peace. There are many instances of riots and violence between the two groups. The situation was made more complex by the spread of Calvinism in the latter part of the sixteenth century. Many Germans were drawn to the teachings of Calvin and his ideas on the ‘elect’ and ‘predestination’. Several German rulers especially in Brandenburg and the Rhineland tolerated Calvinists. The Calvinists although Protestants were not Lutherans and they were distrusted and even persecuted by Lutheran rulers.

Catholics naturally saw them as just another Protestant sect. The rise of Calvinism in Germany situation was not foreseen made more complex by the Peace spread of Augsburg. At Calvinism in the time latter part of the writing of the treaty they sixteenth century. Many Germans were a small group. By drawn to Calvin's teachings and his ideas on the 1580s they were a significant minority ‘elect’ and their activities helped to increase religious tensions in Germany‘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 Peace of Augsburg were in effect unable to secure any tolerance for their faith in the Empire. This was to play an important part in the breakdown of the Augsburg Settlementdistrusted and even persecuted by Lutheran rulers. Indeed, the collapse of the Augsburg settlement can be attributed to actions borne out of Calvinists frustrations. The so-called ‘defenestration of Prague’ involved Calvinists attacking and throwing representatives of the Holy Roman Emperor out a window. This was to trigger the Thirty Years War that left most of central Europe a wasteland.<ref> Wilson, Peter, <i>The Thirty Years War: Europe's Tragedy</i>. London: Belknap Pres, 2011), p. 67</ref>

===Bishops and Rulers===In Catholics naturally saw them as just another Protestant sect. The Peace of Augsburg did not foresee the rise of Calvinism in Germany. At the time of the writing of the Holy Roman Empiretreaty, there they were very many ecclesiastical principalities and they ranged in size from a small town to large territories, often containing significant urban centers such as Colognegroup. The Treaty after protracted negotiations had to deal with By the issue of ecclesiastics who converted to Lutheranism. The Catholic side was concerned that if 1580s, they were a bishop or another significant minority, and their activities helped increase Germany's religious leader converted that his realm would become Lutherantensions. This had happened during By the Reformation. The Head of 1600s, several rulers proclaimed themselves Calvinists, such as the Teutonic Knights in Prussia, originally an order Landgrave of warriorHesse-monks had converted to Protestantism Kassel and as a result all the Prussian territories had become ProtestantElector of Brandenburg. The Catholics demanded that any bishop or religious leader that had converted to Lutheranism should return his realm as As Calvinists, they were not covered by rights their lands belonged to the Catholic Churchprinciple of ‘one ruler, one faith.’ This threw the entire Peace of Augsburg into doubt.

HoweverFurthermore, those bishops and others who had converted refused Calvinists, because they were recognized under the Peace of Augsburg, were in effect unable to return secure any tolerance for their lands and became faith in the secular ruler of the former ecclesiastical principalitiesEmpire. This was a source to play an important part in the breakdown of continuing tension between the Protestants and Augsburg Settlement. Indeed, the Catholics and many collapse of the latter believed that the Protestant side had not respected or fully implemented the treaty of Augsburg. This led settlement can be attributed to frequent clashes between both members of both confessions over the future actions borne out of Episcopal principalitiesCalvinists' frustrations. For example, in the Cologne War (1583The so-1588), when called ‘defenestration of Prague’ involved Calvinists attacking and throwing the prince-archbishop became Holy Roman Emperor's representatives out a Protestant it led window. This was to a brutal sectarian war between Catholics and Lutherans. One of the principal causes of trigger the Thirty Years War was the ‘lack that left most of clarity over the status of these episcopal princedomscentral Europe a wasteland.’<ref> Wilson, Peter, <i>The Thirty Years War: Europe's Tragedy</i>. London: Belknap Press, 2011), p . 67</ref>

===Dividing Christendom=What was the source of the continuing tension between Catholics and Protestants?==The Settlement of Augsburg effectively led to the partition of Germany into two separate confessional blocs, one Catholic and the other Protestant, even though they all inhabited In the Holy Roman Empire, there were very many ecclesiastical principalities. It wanted to establish They ranged in size from a balance of power between them small town to ensure peace in the Empirelarge territories, often containing significant urban centers such as Cologne. The settlement did succeed in establishing a balance 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 , after protracted negotiations, had effectively partitioned not only to deal with the Holy Roman Empire but also Christendomissue of ecclesiastics who converted to Lutheranism.<ref> Hale, p. 118</ref> This The Catholic side was the old concept of concerned that a common bishop or another religious leader converted that his realm that was Christianwould become Lutheran. After This had happened during the Peace of Augsburg Germany was composed of two separate confessions who did not trust each other and thought each other hereticsReformation. They both sought to gain an advantage over the other and to increase their territory at the expense The Head of the other. The settlement Teutonic Knights in Prussia, originally an order of Augsburg did end a war but it also copperwarrior-fastened the division on the Empire into a Catholic monks, had converted to Protestantism, and as a result, all the Prussian territories had become Protestant bloc. When The 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 balance of power broke down in 1618, these two mutually hostile religions began a war that was unprecedented in its loss of life and destruction.<ref>Wilson, pCatholic Church. 656</ref>

===Conclusion===The Peace of Augsburg was intended to give Germany a lasting peace and to give it a religious settlement that would prevent future religious wars. The settlement was successful in the sense that it did prevent a general religious war in Germany and Central Europe until 1618. However, the settlement reached at Augsburg in 1555 was fundamentally unstable those bishops and its failure was almost guaranteed. Those others who drafted the treaty failed had converted refused to recognize that return their lands and became the growth secular ruler of Calvinism would destabilize it and increase sectarian tensions in the Empireformer ecclesiastical principalities. Because they were not covered by the terms This was a source of continuing tension between the treaty they often worked against it Protestants and this was to lead to conflict in Bohemia that triggered the Thirty Years WarCatholics. Then Many of the settlement did not resolve latter believed that the status of episcopal principalities whose bishop Protestant side had converted not respected or fully implemented Augsburg's treaty. This led to Lutheranism and this was to poison relations frequent clashes between both sides for decades. Perhaps members of both confessions over the most significant failure future of Episcopal principalities. For example, in the settlement was that it created two mutually hostile blocsCologne War (1583-1588), and there was no mechanism designed by when the settlement prince-archbishop became a Protestant, it led to defuse tensions or to resolve conflictsa brutal sectarian war between Catholics and Lutherans. This led to the collapse One of the Peace of Augsburg and the Thirty Years War, one principal causes was the ‘lack of clarity over the greatest tragedies in Europe’s long historystatus of these episcopal princedoms.’<ref> Wilson.p 67</ref>

==What did the Peace of Augsburg accomplish?==<div class="portal" style='float:right; width:35%'> ====Related Articles===={{#dpl:category=German History|ordermethod=firstedit|order=descending|count=6}}</div>The Peace of Augsburg led to the partition of Germany into two separate confessional blocs, one Catholic and the other Protestant, even though they all inhabited the Holy Roman Empire. It sought to establish a balance of power between them to ensure peace in the Empire. The settlement did succeed in establishing a balance of power in Germany. Still, it was never a stable one, and it only lasted so long because the Hapsburgs were distracted elsewhere. The Augsburg Treaty had effectively partitioned not only the Holy Roman Empire but also Christendom.<ref> Hale, p. 118</ref>  After Augsburg's Peace, Germany was composed of two separate confessions that did not trust each other and saw each other as heretics. They both sought to gain an advantage over the other and increase their territory at the other's expense. Augsburg's settlement did end a war, but it also copper-fastened the division of the Empire into a Catholic and a Protestant bloc. When the balance of power broke down in 1618, these two mutually hostile religions began a war that was unprecedented in its loss of life and destruction.<ref>Wilson, p. 656</ref> ==Was the Peace of Augsburg successful?==The Peace of Augsburg 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====