There were specific periods of time in the historic period of France when religion was a real problem for its citizens. France was occupied by the war on religion during almost four decades since 1562 up to 1598. There were three great periods of the war which were held during 1562 – 1576 (the first part of the war), 1572 – 1588 (wars of religion and the Saint Bartholomew massacre), and 1588 – 1598 (wars of religion and the Edict of Nantes).
The main powers in this war of religions were the Protestants, the Huguenots, the Catholics, who combated for domination in France. Religion had never been an essential political instrument until 1562? However, during the further 40 years religion became important factor for political issues.
Fighting for domination, kings did used religion as the instrument but not as the final purpose of the wars, the main reasons of which were the financial, structural and personality weaknesses of the monarchy, factional rivalry between the major families of France who supported different religious confessions, and economic depression.
Guise family, the Bourbons and the Montmorency-Chatillons were three families which fought for the domination in the country. According to the heredity, Catherine de Medici took the throne and her Catholic views were supported by the Guise family who were nor satisfied with the increase of the Protestants influence and led an army against a protestant church in Champagne.
Catherine de Medici was interested in maintaining balance between these two religions, however, it was not in the interest of Guise family who wanted to gain the power in the country. However, Catherine de Medici managed to find the balance between Catholics and Protestants in 1570, however, the war was resumed in 1572 by executing several thousand Huguenots in Paris.
Therefore, the third religion was involved in the war. The wars between such powers as Protestants, Catholics and Huguenots ended in 158 when “the Edict of Nantes granted freedom of worship to the whole of France” (Wars of Religion in France). The signature of the Treaty of Vervins between France and Spain completely finished the wars of religion in the country.
Trying to analyze the real reasons for the wars, it is obvious that e first war of religion was caused by the political opposition of the great powers in the country. The second war of religion more reminded the national revolt for liberty and only the third war may be considered as a real war of religion as by that time the confrontation between different religions was really devastating and something should be done to balance those (Kingdon 170).
The final stage of the religions war was provoked by the permission for Protestants to follow their religious canons everywhere in France except Paris. Many sides in the country were dissatisfied with the decisions. Holt Concludes that “the real legacy of the French Wars of religion, however, was that this rhetoric of absolutism co-existed with the increased social polarization between rich and poor that resulted from the civil wars themselves” (Holt 222).
Trying to reconsider the events which took place in France during the wars of religion, it is possible to conclude that the lengthy war period was crated by the monarchs and their inability to maintain order in the society. Fighting for the power and the throne, monarchs forgot about people and their needs. The wars of religion were possible only when the crown was shared and one political power won (Knecht 90).
This case supports one more time the idea that religion is usually used as the power for ruling people in personal political games. Considering the result of the wars, some people may think that the Edict of Nantes and the Treaty of Vervins managed to solve the religious problems. However, this is not really correct as these measures were taken to stop active war actions (as the political powers did not need this instrument in their battle any more) and renew the invasion of Catholic ideas through the country.
Therefore, it may be concluded that the wars of religion in France were nothing but the political instrument in hands of monarchs. Trying to solve personal issues, the powerful families of France appeared before the choice of the fighting strategy. Some additional issues which may be considered as the pushing aspects of the affair just supported the desire of the powerful families to use religion as the means for making people inspired by the idea and to fight for the interests of a concrete political power.
It should be stated that religious issues always exist and there is no country where the problem of religion is not put at edge, however, some governments manage to maintain balance between different religions in the country to make sure that all citizens remain satisfied, However, if one has a desire to use religion as the instrument, he/she can always do it being inspired by the great example of the wars of religion in France between 1562-1598.
Works Cited
Holt, Mack P. The French Wars of Religion, 1562-1629, Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2005. Print.
Kingdon, Robert McCune. Geneva and the Consolidation of the French Protestant Movement, 1564-1572: A Contribution to the History of Congregationalism, Presbyterianism and Calvinist Resistance Theory. New York: Librairie Droz, 1967. Print.
Knecht, Robert. The French Religious Wars 1562-1598. New York: Osprey Publishing, 2002. Print.
“Wars of Religion in France.” France This Way, 2012, Web.