Religious Toleration DBQ Samples
Introductory Paragraphs – Notice context and analytical thesis
Throughout the age of the Protestant reformation, the ideas of religious toleration were constantly in flux. There were some
regions who believed in one state having one religion. These tended to be Catholics trying to dispel Protestantism, though
there were some places, such as John Calvin’s Geneva, where the roles were switched. Other regions believed in religious
freedom and were opposed to the ideas of forced beliefs. And still others were willing to make compromises, as long as they
did not hinder the main ideas of the country. Ironically, all three opinions tended for have the same foundation for their
ideas, a want for peace and unity.
After the Protestant Reformation, new Protestant religions arose and gained varying amounts of acceptance around Europe.
Some religions like Lutheranism and Calvinism became prominent in Northern Europe, while Catholicism still remained the
majority religion in Southern Europe. With these varying amounts of acceptance of Protestant religions came different ideas
and practices concerning religious toleration, like the Netherlands and England, which other places chose to oppose religious
toleration, such as France. While still, others found ways to support religious compromise such as Prussia.
The 16th Century brought challenges to Europe like none they had seen before. The Protestant Reformation led by people
such as Martin Luther and John Calvin changed people and caused them to convert from the dominant Catholic Church. It
brought about many wars and revolts in Europe. As the Age of Absolutism emerged, people and rulers views changed as to
how the subject of religion should be treated. In the liberal states of the Dutch Republics people could do as they please while
places such as France were forced to be Catholic. Others in Europe found compromise in these times, but the decisions they
made were important to their still highly religious populations.
Document use and analysis – Pay attention to analysis and extended analysis
In William, Prince of Orange’s Proclamation to the people of the Netherlands, he claims religious toleration necessary to unify
a state. During this time, the Dutch were leading a revolt against Spain to gain independence and it would be impossible to
defeat the Spaniards if the Dutch were not “held together in close union!” Here, William uses religion only if it pertains to
political gain and defense against his enemies. He has no interest in the personal affairs of the Dutch people, but rather uses
toleration as way to build unity to bring about independence, which may give him more power and prestige. (POV) In
England, the Levelers in their agreement...exhibit similar beliefs as William of Orange, but for different reasons. While William
promoted religious toleration to help protect the Netherlands from outside conflict, the Levellers were concerned with
persecution within the state. The believed, “Matters of conscience in religion cause more distractions and anguish than any
other kind of disagreement.” As a result they supported full religious toleration in England during a time of great religious and
political chaos of the English Civil War. However, the authors are members of a radical group of social reformers so they see
religious toleration as a way to promote their own agenda in England. (POV)
Many others disagreed that freedom of religion brought peace, but that religious uniformity was the way to stability. One
such country was France. In the Treatise by Paul Hay du Chastelet, he states that, “ Fellow subjects…will rarely fight each
other.” The author would make this statement because he was a Catholic and an aristocrat would want to maintain his
wealth and status by oppressing the role of Protestants in France. (POV) Another Frenchman against religious freedom was
Louis XIV. In his Edict of Fontainebleau, he completely eliminates religious toleration. “We have determined….the evils of this
false religion…” This was directed toward the French Calvinists who had been allowed to worship in France under the Edict of
Nantes. It makes sense that Louis XIV would say that the Protestants were the cause of France’s troubles because he
wanted absolute power. Eliminating other religions would increase his power. (POV)
Other European states passed laws or found ways to please their diverse peoples and provide stability through compromise.
The Holy Roman Empire in the 16th and 17th Centuries became a warzone because of the wide variety of peoples beliefs and
lifestyles. Over time people were given various degrees of freedoms as an outcome of these wars. (HC) In 1707 Charles XII
of Sweden gave his newly conquered lands the option of travelling “to neighboring districts where the Lutheran religion
thrives”.