Because of this monarch’s family connections, he ruled vario…

Because of this monarch’s family connections, he ruled various parts of Europe and had the best chance of unifying Europe.  He was named the Holy Roman Emperor, and in this role tried to stop the Protestant Reformation. He was the grandson of Ferdinand and Isabella of Spain and also heir to the Hapsburg holdings in Europe.    

The Peace of Westphalia marked the end of religious unity in…

The Peace of Westphalia marked the end of religious unity in Europe.  Each ruler pursued the best military.  To fall behind, meant invasion and an arms race began.  The system checked itself through a balance of power. If one state or group of states became too powerful, the other checked that power.