The Reformation and the Rise of Modern Nation-states in Western Europe

The Reformation in the 16th century dismantled the domination of the Roman Catholic Church and resulted in Protestantism and national churches in Western Europe. The establishment of national churches and the rise of modern nation-states in the Western Europe strengthened each other. In Protestant countries, like Holland, England and the Scandinavian countries, rulers strengthened royal and national power and stimulated the rise of their nations. The Reformation did not influence much in France. However, the kings of Bourbon took advantage of religious division and religious wars to strengthen their national power. By contrast, Spain and the Holy Roman Empire were stubborn in keeping the unification of religion and politics. They were gradually declining. Italy and Germany, due to their weakness and disorders, failed to rise as unified nations by the chance of the Reformation.