Discuss the reasons for the Peace of Augsburg (1555).

The question requires that candidates offer a considered and balanced review of the reasons for the Peace of Augsburg in 1555. The Peace of Augsburg allowed rulers in Germany to choose either the Catholic church or Lutheranism for their domains. Residents who dissented from their rulers’ choice could emigrate. Candidates could refer to the fact that there had been prolonged warfare between Catholics and Protestants from 1546. In spite of military success at Mühlberg in 1547, Charles V found Protestantism difficult to eradicate. Attempts to codify religious practice, such as the Augsburg or Leipzig Interims, failed to gain the support of German Protestants. Diplomatically, Charles V faced renewed challenges in the early 1550s. The League of Torgau of German Lutheran Princes meant that Elector Maurice of Saxony had abandoned Charles V. From 1552, Henri IV of France assisted the League against Charles V. In addition, Charles V faced attack from the Ottoman Empire. For both the Catholic and the Protestant sides, the Peace of Augsburg was a welcome end to conflict.

The question required candidates to offer a considered and balanced review of the reasons for the Peace of Augsburg in 1555. Some candidates displayed detailed, relevant knowledge. However, there was some tendency to narrate the history of Martin Luther.