Protestants Vs. Catholics
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Catholics and Protestants were in a constant power struggle to gain and maintain religious dominance in late 16th century France. Religious power was something that the Catholics had always had and they were willing to do anything to keep it that way. Protestants believed that a person had no need for the Catholic church in order to get back to God. Both Churchs strong belief that they were unanimously right and intense opposition of the other created a barrier between the two that no one seemed to be able to break through.
Protestants where under constant attack from the Catholics. As they advised people to look within themselves for religious truth and no longer to the churches, Protestant churches gained many followers rapidly causing panic in Catholic leaders across France and the rest of Europe.
Huguenots, or French Protestants, experienced their first wave of persecution after the capture of Francois I by Emperor Charles V of Pavia . Wanting to gain favor with the Catholic Emperor, French officials began persecuting Protestants.
Protestants being extremely anti-Catholic starting smearing anti-catholic lettering all over French cities leading to a second wave of persecution causing Calvin and other Protestant leader to flee France.
As the Bourbons, Montmorency-Chatillons, and Guise family fought for ties to the royal family, Protestants gained another advance in status. Catherine De Medici, fearing the growth of Guise power, shifted royal favor towards the Bourbons who were a strong Protestant family. Coligny became the kings most trusted advisor and close friend. As the Coligny gained more influence over Charles, Catherine began to worry yet again for her families power. In an attempt to keep the throne from Protestant leaders, Catherine turned again to the Guise with a plot to assassinate Coligny. After their failed attempt, the royal family was faced with a difficult decision. In order to keep their secret from becoming public, Catherine called for a massive execution of protestants. On August 24 1572, Coligny and 3,000 protestants were slain in Paris in what is known as the Saint Bartholomews Day