Religious disputes over the Faith

The marriages triggered the way and means the Kingdom prevailed. The conquests guaranteed stability; it was not a constant one, however, made Amsterdamand its surrounding areas relatively stable and safe. The provinces were controlled and governed by the Duke of Burgundy, the year 1430 was in particularly were hard; rich in disputes and constant reshuffling of the government. Namely, Charles the Bold was the last Duke to hold on sway. He died in 1477; his heir was his daughter – Mary. She married the Crown Prince of Habsburg Empire’s -  Maximilian of Austria. The land passed into Habsburg hands. Maximilian’s son Philip married Joan ‘the Mad’ of Spain– he made an alliance with a very strong, powerful and extremely intolerant Catholic country. He was not aware of the consequences until 1478 when the Inquisition was announced and fully implemented upon other countries. The repercussions were everywhere – Amsterdamfelt it momentously. 

The religious madness was fueled by Philip II of Spain. In 1560s Amsterdam witnessed veritable religious convictions; not everyone could practice their beliefs openly; yet they could openly trade and prosper; therefore Amsterdamflourished economically. What is very prominent 98% of the population in 1500s was Catholic. Amsterdambecame a pilgrimage spot to go to; to start a new, better life all along. Other beliefs were perished immediately; newly established Protestant Churchat Nieuwzijds Voorburgwal had been demolished and destroyed.

Erasmus of Rotterdam was the first brave to challenge the Catholic Church, He saw inevitable end of establishment; he wanted reforms, he believed we are all equal; he believed and claimed the men was the ideal creation not a root of sin.

Spanish and Catholic dominance was palatable but started to decline. The Augustinian Monk – Martin Luther nailed His 95 points to the chapel door of Wittenberg Castle in 1517. Was it a final nail in the coffin? Ideas and resolutions of Luther did not win much applause, but John Calvin’s did. This French Protestant theologian shaped his ideology by borrowing and changing the idea of the doctrine of predestination.  It was a heresy, obviously; all Calvin’s supporters were punished and persecuted. There was no exception. The Catholic priests in Belgiummanaged to ease the torrent of fascination towards Calvin’s ideas – Amsterdam was utterly under the Belgian authority.  In 1535 – the uprising broke up – many people were publicly executed at the Dam square – the founder of the uprising – Melchior Hofmann respectively as well, their head were put on pikes on the city gates. It was a warning that the Catholicism will not tolerate imperfection and cleavage. Calvinism managed to go on with its doctrines and became more and more popular, underneath it all.

Protestants understood they had to prevail outside the Amsterdam, and the police jurisdiction within its vicinity. They built their centers far outside the major cities. It proved to be quite successful means of survival. In 1566 Antwerpwitnessed another uprising. The protest called ‘Iconoclast’ won; partially some of the right to teach and preach, Amsterdamgave them an inch of tolerance, which they used to excess. They adjusted to Amsterdam fashion.

The king, though, was unscrupulous, he was a champion of counter-Reformation, Philip II of Spain didn’t tolerate Calvinism, and gradually pacified the niche of its supporters. In 1568 the campaign stated – what followed next was ruthless and inexorable and uncompromising – an onset of 80 years war, the Calvinism was outlawed. Amsterdam remained Catholic. It didn’t change after Alteration, when William of Orange surrounded the gates of the city demanding unconditional obedience and acceptance of his divine supremacy.

The ‘peace’ came alongside with the Treaty of Utrecht – this peculiar document created modern Netherlands. It created United Provinces which won supremacy over Antwerpand made Amsterdamleading commercial center.  Catholic city officials were replace by Calvinists. Protestant merchants fled to Amsterdam from southern provinces, the affluence of wealth has just begun. The politics has changed the United Provinces didn’t give the freedom of worship – Catholics had to practice their religion secretly. They became minority and were banished from official offices and posts.

 Bibliography:

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