<p>Does a euro history essay qualify as the required critical/analytical essay?
I’ll post it here, need quick responses, thanks.</p>
<p>Within 1560 and 1648, Europe experienced a series of economic upheavals and wars of religion that resulted in it becoming a more secularized land, immune to religious struggle (except for events in Scotland and Ireland), where the English, the Dutch and the French profited from the economic changes and took leadership roles (in these early modern times) at the expense of Spain and Germany. Some of the events leading up to this outcome were: the opening of the Atlantic (and the resulting Spanish empire), the commercial revolution (driven by the belief in mercantilism), the changing social structures (rise of bourgoiesie), the crusade of Catholic Spain (mostly against the Turks and the Netherlands), the disintegration and reconstruction of France, and the disintegration of Germany thanks to the thirty-years war which left a bad atmosphere that postponed German unification until the late 1800s. In the Netherlands, a myriad of ambitions and goals clashed with Philip II striving to reconquer and empose Catholicism upon the rebellious states, William of Orange fighting for independence and the right of religious freedom (self-interests were probably involved as well), and Elizabeth I aiding in the fight against Philip in order to presence the balance of power in the European continent that England so badly desired. </p>
<pre><code>After Charles V retirement, Philip II took power of the majority of the Holy Roman Empire. Philip II was a bit atypical, to say the least. He was an ardent believer in Catholicism and wished to be the savior, if you will, and bring back the times when the Roman Catholic Church was the sole religious entity in Europe. He set aside political and material interests and embarked upon his own crusade. After succeeding against the Turks at Lepanto, he eyed his next target, the Netherlands, and started the Catholic offensive. He was determined to spread Catholicism everywhere and was oblivious of popular sovereignty (evidenced by his quick denial of the Schmalkaldic leagues petition to prevent the inquisition from going to the Netherlands). For Philip, the Netherlands was only another step towards his goal, next would be England (shown by the Spanish Armadas attack in 1588, and the Spanish supported plans of Don Juan). Nevertheless, Philip encountered fierce opposition led mainly by William of Orange. William the silent, as they called him, led the struggle of the seven northern provinces against the Spanish. The population was not solely protestant, for the Schmalkaldic league was composed of both Catholic and protestant nobles, and they united to defeat the foreign force. William pursued independence from Spain (and got it in 1581), which allowed the rights the population embraced, religious freedom and consequently a peace that promoted economic growth in the Netherlands. The Netherlands did prosper economically with Amsterdam becoming a major trading port and a prosperous middle class enjoyed. The battle against the Spanish was not easy though (lasted into the 1600s), but thankfully the Netherlands counted on English support. At first clandestinely but then it became a full-fledged effort, by the English, against Philips Spain. Elizabeth I felt threatened by Philips expansionist movements in Europe and his increasing power so she felt it a necessity, to fight alongside the Dutch. Elizabeth knew that the balance of power was vanishing in continental Europe, and if she didnt do anything her country would be next. This fear was increased by the presence of Mary Queen of Scots and the ardent Catholics which still resided in England. She executed Mary and in 1588 dealt Spain a huge blow by crushing the Spanish Armada. She aided the Netherlands immensely with troops and suppliers until it reached a truce with Spain around 1608. Thanks to this, she did more than restrain, but she diminished Spanish power in Europe. England become a major naval power (which allowed it to protect its interests in Europe and in America), and the decadence of Spain began.
Thanks to the join efforts (albeit different ambitions) of William of Orange and Elizabeth I (plus the events in France), the English, the Dutch, and the French became the major European powers. Spain suffered and has not reached the same stature in international matters to this day. Germany, the victim of a latter struggle, would not reach its unification until the late 1800s and it would not have power like the HRE did until Hitler in the 1930s.
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