Pearson Edexcel · A-Level · History
Course version: 9HI0 · Version from Sept 2015
The impact of Calvinism: the Huguenot migration from France; hedge…
Full specification wording
Origins of the Dutch Revolt, c1563–67: The impact of Calvinism: the Huguenot migration from France; hedge preaching; the revolt (Iconoclastic Fury) of 1566; the restoration of order; the effects of Calvinism on the Netherlands.
This topic explores how Calvinism transformed opposition in the Netherlands.
Checked against the Pearson Edexcel 9HI0 specification (opens in a new tab) on .
- Point 4 of 4
- 4 key terms
Study notes
From the checked teaching notes for this specification point.
The idea
This topic explores how Calvinism transformed opposition in the Netherlands. Huguenot migration from France brought organised Calvinist networks, while hedge preaching spread the faith to rural and urban audiences. In 1566, the Iconoclastic Fury saw Calvinists destroy Catholic imagery, prompting Margaret of Parma to concede to noble demands before restoring order with force. The effects of Calvinism were profound: it created a militant alternative to Catholicism, politicised ordinary people, and deepened the divide between Habsburg authorities and local elites.
What earns the marks
- Explain how Huguenot migration from France contributed to the growth of Calvinist communities in the Netherlands, including the role of refugee networks and preachers.
- Analyse the significance of hedge preaching in spreading Calvinism beyond urban centres and in challenging the authority of the Catholic Church.
- Assess the causes and consequences of the Iconoclastic Fury of 1566, including the targeting of Catholic churches and the response of Margaret of Parma.
- Evaluate the restoration of order after 1566, including the use of troops and the temporary concessions that preceded repression.
- Discuss the effects of Calvinism on the Netherlands, such as the formation of a militant religious minority, the politicisation of the population, and the hardening of Habsburg policy.
Common mistakes and how to put them right
Stating that the Iconoclastic Fury was a planned, centralised revolt.
Put it right: It was a series of spontaneous outbreaks of iconoclasm, though it had political consequences.
Claiming Calvinism only appealed to the urban poor.
Put it right: It attracted nobles, artisans, merchants and rural dwellers, and its organisation crossed social boundaries.
Assuming the restoration of order in 1566 ended Calvinist influence.
Put it right: It suppressed public worship temporarily but Calvinism remained a powerful force, contributing to later revolt.
Confusing Huguenots with Dutch Calvinists.
Put it right: Huguenots were French Calvinists; their migration added to existing Dutch Calvinist communities.
Exam tips
- When discussing the impact of Calvinism, distinguish between religious, social and political effects, and use specific examples such as hedge preaching or the Iconoclastic Fury.
- Use terms like ‘iconoclasm’ and ‘hedge preaching’ accurately, and explain their significance rather than just describing them.
- For questions on causation, consider how Calvinism interacted with noble opposition and economic hardship to produce the crisis of 1566.
Try the lesson
The start of the Origins of the Dutch Revolt, c1563–67: The impact of Calvinism: the Huguenot migration from France; hedge preaching; the revolt (Iconoclastic Fury) of 1566; the restoration of order; the effects of Calvinism on the Netherlands. lesson, made from checked teaching notes for this specification point.
Have a go first
What form of Calvinist religious gathering in the Netherlands involved preaching in open fields outside towns?
Listen
This topic explores how Calvinism transformed opposition in the Netherlands. Huguenot migration from France brought organised Calvinist networks, while hedge preaching spread the faith to rural and urban audiences. In 1566, the Iconoclastic Fury saw Calvinists destroy Catholic imagery, prompting Margaret of Parma to concede to noble demands before restoring order with force. The effects of Calvinism were profound: it created a militant alternative to Catholicism, politicised ordinary people, and deepened the divide between Habsburg authorities and local elites. A strong answer earns marks for these points. Explain how Huguenot migration from France contributed to the growth of Calvinist communities in the Netherlands, including the role of refugee networks and preachers. Analyse the significance of hedge preaching in spreading Calvinism beyond urban centres and in challenging the authority of the Catholic Church. Assess the causes and consequences of the Iconoclastic Fury of 1566, including the targeting of Catholic churches and the response of Margaret of Parma. Evaluate the restoration of order after 1566, including the use of troops and the temporary concessions that preceded repression. A common slip: stating that the Iconoclastic Fury was a planned, centralised revolt. Instead, it was a series of spontaneous outbreaks of iconoclasm, though it had political consequences. Exam tip: When discussing the impact of Calvinism, distinguish between religious, social and political effects, and use specific examples such as hedge preaching or the Iconoclastic Fury.
Key words
Say what each word means before you turn the card.
Huguenot migration
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Hedge preaching
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Iconoclastic Fury
Try answering aloud or in your head before turning the card.
Restoration of order
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See every definition
- Huguenot migration
- The movement of French Calvinists into the Netherlands, which added to existing Dutch Calvinist communities and brought organised Calvinist networks and preachers.
- Hedge preaching
- A means of spreading Calvinism to rural and urban audiences beyond urban centres, challenging the authority of the Catholic Church.
- Iconoclastic Fury
- A series of spontaneous outbreaks of iconoclasm in 1566 in which Calvinists destroyed Catholic imagery, prompting Margaret of Parma to concede to noble demands before restoring order with force.
- Restoration of order
- The response after 1566 using troops and temporary concessions that preceded repression, which suppressed public worship temporarily but left Calvinism a powerful force.
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