Calvinist republics Republic

while classical writers had been primary ideological source republics of italy, in northern europe, protestant reformation used justification establishing new republics. important calvinist theology, developed in swiss confederacy, 1 of largest , powerful of medieval republics. john calvin did not call abolition of monarchy, advanced doctrine faithful had duty overthrow irreligious monarchs. advocacy republics appeared in writings of huguenots during french wars of religion.

calvinism played important role in republican revolts in england , netherlands. city-states of italy , hanseatic league, both important trading centres, large merchant class prospering trade new world. large parts of population of both areas embraced calvinism. during dutch revolt (beginning in 1566), dutch republic emerged rejection of spanish habsburg rule. however, country did not adopt republican form of government immediately: in formal declaration of independence (act of abjuration, 1581), throne of king philip declared vacant, , dutch magistrates asked duke of anjou, queen elizabeth of england , prince william of orange, 1 after another, replace philip. took until 1588 before estates (the staten, representative assembly @ time) decided vest sovereignty of country in themselves.

in 1641 english civil war began. spearheaded puritans , funded merchants of london, revolt success, , king charles executed. in england james harrington, algernon sidney, , john milton became of first writers argue rejecting monarchy , embracing republican form of government. english commonwealth short lived, , monarchy restored. dutch republic continued in name until 1795, mid-18th century stadtholder had become de facto monarch. calvinists of earliest settlers of british , dutch colonies of north america.