War and Religion after Westphalia, 1648-1713

by David Onnekink (Editor)

"Focusing on the years between the end of the Thirty Years' War and the end of the War of Spanish Succession, this new series seeks to broaden scholarly knowledge of this crucial period that witnessed the solidification of Europe into centralised nation states and created a recognisably modern political map. Bridging the gap between the early modern period of the Reformation and the eighteenth century of colonial expansion and industrial revolution these years provide a fascinating era of study in which nationalism, political dogma, economic advantage, scientific development, cultural interests and strategic concerns began to overtake religion as the driving force of European relations and national foreign policies." "The period under investigation, c.1650-1720, corresponds to the decline of Spanish power and the rise of French hegemony that was only to be finally broken following the defeat of Napoleon in 1815. This shifting political power base presented opportunities and dangers for many countries, resulting in numerous alliances between formerly hostile nations attempting to consolidate or increase their international influence, or restrain that of a rival. Three of the most influential nations at this time, France, Great Britain and The Netherlands, were all at some stage during this period either at war or in alliance with one another." Despite this being a formative period in the formation of the European landscape, there has been remarkably little joined-up research that studies events from an international, rather than national perspective. By providing a forum that encourages scholars to engage with the subject of politics, diplomacy, war and international relations on abroad European basis, it is hoped that a greater understanding of this pivotal era will be forthcoming.

290 pages, Hardcover

First published February 1, 2009

Reviews

[William · Rating 4 out of 5]

The traditional historical view is that religion played a limited role in European international relations and warfare after the Thirty Years War (1618-1648). Historians have argued that political and economic interests prevailed over religion as the primary factors in international relations and the causes of conflict after 1648. Dr David Onnekink, an Assistant Professor of the Early Modern History of International Relations at the University of Utrecht, has edited a collection of essays written by political, military, cultural, and religious historians that challenge, to various degrees, the traditional belief about the small role of religion in European international relations and warfare between the Peace of Westphalia (1648) and Peace of Utrecht (1713). The essays examine what has been called the “Dark Alliance” between religion and war. They stress the relationship between war, foreign policy, and religion.

The first four essays investigate the role of religion in the formulation of foreign policy in France, Spain, England, and the Dutch Republic. Paul Sonnino looks at Louis XIV’s policy in the era of the Dutch War (1672-78). He points out that religion, despite some religious dissent at home, played little role in the conflict, which included fighting the Protestant powers of the United Provinces and Brandenburg, as well as the Catholic powers of Spain and the Holy Roman Emperor, in the quest to gain the Spanish Netherlands. But, after the conflict, the Sun King began to rid himself of religious dissention within his borders in the event of a new war. In his essay, Christopher Storrs argues that Carlos II of Spain (1665-1700) pursued a pragmatic foreign policy allying with Catholic and Protestant powers in the struggle to defend the Spanish Empire against the designs of Louis XIV in Europe. Even so, religion served a more significant role in the formulation of imperial policy abroad. Andrew C. Thompson believes that the Protestant interest played an important part in British politics, and religious views influenced foreign policy and the pursuit of a balance of power. David Onnekink asserts that Dutch foreign policy was swayed by the fear of the perceived Catholic threat of France, England (while James II was on the throne), and the Holy Roman Empire leading up to the outbreak of the Nine Years War (1688-1697). However, he stresses that the conflict was not fought along religious lines.

Two historians deal with warfare during this period. K.A.J. McLay argues that the perceived role of Providence in battle was being replaced by a growing secular approach to the art of warfare. He emphasizes the professionalism of operational planning, the structuring of command, and battlefield management in the Nine Years War and the War of the Spanish Succession (1701-13). Preparation and skill had more to do with victories and defeats than the favor of Providence during this era. In the other essay, Matthew Glozier studies French Huguenot refugees that fought in Anglo-Dutch supported invasions of France during the Nine Years War, in attempts to force Louis XIV to rethink the Edict of Fontainebleau (1685) that had taken away the right of Huguenots to practice their religion in France. The author finds nothing predictable about Huguenot militancy. Some Huguenots were inspired by their religious beliefs, while others fought as professional soldiers (p. 153).

The remaining essays address an assortment of issues. Jill Stern explores the rhetoric in Dutch political pamphlets from 1648 to 1672, and believes that religion continued to be an important factor in the matters of war and peace. Stéphane Jettot discusses the role of politics and religion in the activities of three English diplomats at Catholic courts in Spain and France from the 1660s to 1680s. Stephen Taylor looks at the views of the Englishman Roger Morrice with respect to his Protestant-oriented reporting of European events in the Entring Book, a journal of public affairs, in the 1680s. Emma Bergin investigates Dutch pamphlets concerning the Glorious Revolution in England (1688-89), concluding that the Dutch public continued to see foreign policy issues in religious terms. Donald Haks delves into how the Dutch States General employed religious rhetoric to unite their countrymen in defense against Louis XIV from 1672 to 1713.

This interesting collection of essays rekindles the debate over the influence of religion in western European politics and warfare in the late seventeenth and early eighteenth centuries. The authors vary in terms of their methodology and opinions regarding the impact of religion on foreign policy and warfare. But, these essays serve to show that religion continued to be a factor in international relations and warfare during this period.