Explain how the Peace of Augsburg, the Edict of Nantes, and the Peace of Westphalia all strengthened secular rulers.
(4 points)
175 word limit
The Peace of Augsburg, signed in 1555, allowed princes in the Holy Roman Empire to choose between Catholicism and Lutheranism in their territories, essentially giving them the power to determine the religious affiliation of their subjects. This enabled secular rulers to assert their authority over religious matters and strengthened their control over their territories.
The Edict of Nantes, issued in 1598, granted religious freedom to the Huguenots in France and allowed them to practice their religion without persecution. This not only helped to pacify religious tensions in the country but also gave secular rulers more authority by reducing the influence of the Catholic Church and empowering the monarchy.
The Peace of Westphalia, signed in 1648, ended the Thirty Years' War and established the principle of state sovereignty, recognizing the authority of individual states to govern their territories without interference from external powers. This further strengthened secular rulers by solidifying their control over their domains and reducing the influence of religious institutions in political affairs.