Quote Originally Posted by Shinseikhaan View Post
It depends on what aspects of the reformation you want to talk about- theologically, religion became both more and less of a state issue. On the one hand, states were no longer bound by the Papacy as they were previously; however, the conflicts regarding each prince and duke's religion would be the impetus for the 30 years war, possibly the most important war in european history.
That 30 Years War was a funny one. In a brief reinforcement of my previous point, many of the major contestants weren't actually fighting solely for religion, but were rather using it as a rallying cry. Check out France, for a quick example. They didn't want to be hemmed in by Habsburghs, and certainly didn't enjoy Spanish troops marching by their frontiers in the Spanish Road, so they allied with Lutheran Sweden and fought against their own Catholic brethren in an attempt to prevent their fears from being realized.

Sweden itself, meanwhile, probably was more believable with its Lutheran cry. However, Sweden was a rising power, had the most modern army at the time (a nice combo of professional Swedish conscripts and the latest linear tactics, backed up by mercs), with Gustavus seeking to create a sort of glorious Baltic empire. The 30 Years War, then, could be seen, from that perspective, as a golden opportunity; if it meant they would look like saviours to the Protestant cause, then all the better.

Many other nations had their own political agenda mixed in with their (false?) religious motivations. Even the devout Spain had some political reasons, that is to further isolate the Netherlands in an ocean of Catholic powers and to leave their Spanish Road clear and passable.

@Rhyfelwyr the Welshman:

Hey, thx for the enlightenment! I never knew much about Cromwell's history, so it was a good read.