During the 1500's and 1600's, many of the European nations faced conflict either within their own lands or with other countries. Many of the wars that proved to be costly to the European powers during this period were caused by the lasting effect of the Protestant Reformation. Throughout these times, Protestantism became increasingly popular and movements to make Protestantism the primary religion over Catholicism in many European nations became increasingly successful. The success of these revolts led to religious wars in France, the Netherlands, and Germany. The French suffered from a civil war and also were weakened by their role in the Thirty Years' War. The Dutch experienced the same fate as the French, as the desire for Protestants to break away from the rule of Catholic Spain lead to the Union of Utrecht in the northern provinces and brought England into the conflict. Germany turned out to...