Explain how the Peace of Augsburg, the Edict of Nantes, and the Peace of Westphalia all strengthened secular rulers. bot
The Peace of Augsburg, signed in 1555, granted rulers in the Holy Roman Empire the power to determine the religion of their territories, either Catholicism or Lutheranism. This effectively strengthened secular rulers by giving them control over religious matters within their domains, further consolidating their authority and reducing the influence of the Catholic Church.
The Edict of Nantes, issued in 1598 by King Henry IV of France, granted religious freedom to the Protestants in France and allowed them to practice their faith openly. This declaration of religious tolerance also served to strengthen the secular authority of the French monarchy by allowing the king to maintain control over religious disputes and maintain stability within his realm.
The Peace of Westphalia, signed in 1648, brought an end to the Thirty Years' War in Europe and established the principles of state sovereignty and territorial integrity. This treaty marked a significant shift towards secular governance as it recognized the authority of secular rulers to govern their territories without interference from external religious authorities. It effectively strengthened the power of secular rulers by solidifying their control over their realms and diminishing the influence of the Catholic Church and other religious institutions.