Ferdinand II
Definition
Holy Roman Emperor from 1619 to 1637. He was a staunch Catholic and tried to suppress Protestantism in his territories, which led to the outbreak of the Thirty Years' War.
Analogy
Think of Ferdinand II as a strict school principal who wants everyone to follow one set of rules (in this case, Catholicism). His attempts at enforcing these rules upset many people (Protestants), leading to a major conflict (the Thirty Years' War).
Related terms
Counter-Reformation: The period of Catholic revival initiated in response to the Protestant Reformation. Ferdinand II's actions were part of this larger movement.
Edict of Restitution: A law issued by Ferdinand II in 1629 during the Thirty Years' War, which outlawed Calvinism and reaffirmed Catholic property rights across the Empire.
Holy Roman Empire: A multi-ethnic complex of territories in Western and Central Europe that developed during the Early Middle Ages and continued until its dissolution in 1806. Ferdinand II was an emperor of this entity.
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