“The most important causes of war were religious.” With reference to two Early Modern wars, to what extent do you agree with this statement?

The question requires that candidates consider the merits or otherwise of the statement that the most important causes of Early Modern wars were religious. The two Early Modern wars may or may not be from the same region. Causes may predate the timeframe but they must be clearly linked to the issue raised in the question. Candidates may refer to the confrontation of different religions such as Christianity and Islam; for example, candidates may appraise the role of religion in causing the Ottoman–Habsburg wars. They may refer to the emergence of Protestantism in various areas of Europe, for example, the Wars of Kappel and the confrontation between Protestant and Catholic cantons of the Old Swiss Confederacy. Candidates may argue that religious and political factors may combine in causing some wars, for example, the Eighty Years’ War, in which Calvinists in the Spanish Netherlands fought against the Catholic Emperor Philip II. Other relevant factors may be addressed, for example economics or political reasons, but with a focus on the issue in the question. Candidates’ opinions or conclusions will be presented clearly and supported by appropriate evidence.

The question required that candidates consider the merits or otherwise of the statement that the most important causes of Early Modern wars were political. There were very few responses seen.