Who were the Huguenots and why were they a threat?

Huguenots were French Protestants in the 16th and 17th centuries who followed the teachings of theologian John Calvin. Persecuted by the French Catholic government during a violent period, Huguenots fled the country in the 17th century, creating Huguenot settlements all over Europe, in the United States and Africa.

Why was the French government threatened by the Huguenots?

Over time Huguenots became loyal subjects of the French crown. However, their position became increasingly insecure as King Louis XIV, grandson of Henri IV, listened more and more to those who advised him that the existence of this sizeable religious minority was a threat to the absolute authority of the monarch.

What was the impact of the Huguenots?

The Huguenots had a huge economic impact on Britain. They revitalised the silk weaving trade, kick-started various manufacturing industries, such as cutlery making in Sheffield, and invested heavily in growing businesses.

Why did the Huguenots and Catholics fight?

Wars of Religion, (1562–98) conflicts in France between Protestants and Roman Catholics. The spread of French Calvinism persuaded the French ruler Catherine de Médicis to show more tolerance for the Huguenots, which angered the powerful Roman Catholic Guise family.

How were the Huguenots treated in England?

Stigmatized by oppressive laws and facing severe persecution, many Huguenots (Protestants) fled France. In 1681, Charles II of England offered sanctuary to the Huguenots, and from 1670 to 1710, between 40,000 and 50,000 Huguenots from all walks of life sought refuge in England.

Why might some Huguenots have wanted to remain in France even though they were experiencing persecution?

Why might some Huguenots have wanted to remain in France even though they were experiencing persecution? They were important members of French society. They made up 90 percent of the population.

What consequences did the Huguenots face as a result of religious intolerance?

After 1685, approximately 200,000 Huguenots, one per cent of the total population, refused to convert to Roman Catholicism and fled to neighbouring countries. There was, however, substantial local variations in the severity of population shocks.

Why did the French Huguenots immigrate to America?

Huguenots were French Protestants who were active in the 16th and 17th centuries. Forced to flee France due to religious and political persecution by the Catholic Church and the Crown, many settled in what is now the United States of America.