Religion. Ferdinand II attempted to impose Roman Catholic absolutism in his domain. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an original essayThe Protestant nobles of Austria and Bohemia revolted. Ferdinand II won after five years of fighting. King Christian of Denmark saw an opportunity to gain territory to recover what had been lost to Sweden. Its defeat in 1692 ended Denmark as a European power, but Sweden invaded Poland and won over many princes to its anti-Catholic and anti-imperial cause. The conflict fueled the ambitions of various powers. The rise of Protestantism spreads and puts Europe to the test. They were constantly in civil war between the German states that embraced Protestantism and the others that were loyal to the Roman Catholic Church. Much of European power suffered as a result of the Protestant Reformation. The execution of Jan Hus (1415). Jan Hus was born in 1357 and ordained in 1401. He spent much of his career teaching. Hus copied the works of John Wycliffe for personal use. He emphasized the role of the Bible in the Church and consequently elevated biblical preaching to an important status in church services. Many members of the clergy felt that their way of life was being questioned. But his was popular among the masses. He was kicked out of the church; they told Hus to stop preaching and asked the church to burn Wycliffe's books. Hus refused to obey and the church condemned him. Huss continued to preach about the Pope's indulgences. Eventually the pope excommunicated Hus and placed Prague under interdict. Huis left Prague, but continued to preach. Hus only had problems with his teachings. 1415 he was summoned to the Council of Constance, to defend his teachings. He was promised safe conduct by Emperor Sigismund. He was arrested soon after his arrival. The council condemned Wycliffe's teachings. Hud was convicted of teaching his beliefs. Formally condemned, he was handed over to the secular authorities to be burned at the stake on 16 July 1415. Hua had been popular with many people, and his heroic death only increased his prestige. His followers rebelled against the Catholic Church, thus starting a conflict that would soon lead to the Thirty Years' War. Rudolph II and the Letter of Majesty. In 1611 Rudolf tried to assert his authority over Bohemia. The bohemian states called Matthias to help them with Rudolf's attempt at authority. Rudolph's attempt was unsuccessful and failed. In exchange for his support Matthias was crowned King of Bohemia from 1611 to 1616. In 1612 Rudolf died and Matthias became Holy Roman Emperor. He remained childless, but no one knew who would rule after his death. The Bohemian nobles elected Ferdinand of Styria to become king in June 1617. He was a strict Catholic and did not tolerate non-Catholics in Bohemia. The Protestants feared his appointment as they wanted the Elector of Saxony or the Palatine. Ferdinand was offered the title on the condition that he maintain the letter of majesty. Ferdinand needed ten deputies to help him govern Bohemia. Seven were Catholic and only three Protestant. In March 1619 Matthias died and Ferdinand became Holy Roman Emperor and King of Bohemia. Ferdinand made his crusade to re-Catholicize the empire. Other Holy Roman Empires feared this approach and believed that if they were left alone they would be easily eliminated. The uprising in Bohemia was disastrous for the Bohemians but also left an important area in the hands of the Catholics. Construction of Protestant churches. Please note: this is just an example. Get one now.