causes of the Thirty Years’ War (1618-48)

Limitations of his religious policy

His religious policy did not resolve the anti-catholicism in England due to him be more lenient towards them. He also alienated Puritan's opinions towards Catholics which allowed Arminianism to more influential in England.

Treaty of London (1604)

It was an agreement to conclude the 19 year Anglo-Spanish war but also end disruption of translantic slave trade and shipping. England agreed to end the intervention in the Dutch Revolt. However, it was unpopular and was seen as a way for him to desert the Netherlands but also appease the Spanish.

Background of the Thirty Years War

Federick V of Palatine who was the husband of James I's daughter (Elizabeth) accepted the crown that was originally given to Ferdinand II in 1619. This caused outrage. James advised Federick to return the crown back to Ferdinand but he had refused. It had led to Ferdinand to declare war in 1617 to supress Protestantism and restore Catholicism across the Holy Roman Empire.

Federick V: A Protestant.

Ferdinand II: A member of the Hapsburg dynasty, a devoted Catholic and an absolutist monarch.

Defenestration of Plague (23rd May 1618)

Ferdinand subsequently attacked Federick driving put of Bohemia and seized lands in Palatine as a punishment.

James' dilemma

Due to the war, it had caused a disruption of the alliance system dragging all of the major European powers (France and Spain were powerful Catholic countries). It led to people in England to have a moral panic and be even more fearful of Catholics. Federick and Elizabeth were exiled and were sent to the Netherlands.

James wanted to maintain peace with Spain after their treaty and did this by pursuing a match between Charles I and Infanta Maria as he believed that he could bring harmony both nations.

Parliaments return (1621)

James asks the Parliament for £500,000 in order to prepare the military and naval but they only give him a 1/3 and wanted made demands. Their demands were to declare war on Spain, impeach the Lord Chancellor Francis Bacon.

November 1621-Feburary 1622: He asked for £900,000 only to get £70,000 which resulted him to attempt to shut down the parliament and it happened in February 1622.

Continuation of the Thirty Years War

Privy council was under Buckingham's control and was involved in the war with the Spanish which was unsuccessful. The visit to Madrid had caused to swung around pro-war position regardless of the fact that no army existed and that the navy was in no fit state. A new parliament met in 1624 Happy Parliament which was just as enthusiastic for war. They voted for £300,000.

Mansfield expedition (1625)

the failure of the military expedition under the command of Ernst von Mansfeld, a famous German mercenary general, sent to the continent to recover the Electorate of the Palatinate (1625), which had belonged to Frederick V. Buckingham was blamed for the failure.