St. Bartholomew's Day Massacre

Q: What was the St. Bartholomew's Day Massacre?

The St. Bartholomew's Day Massacre was a slaughter of the Protestants (Huguenots) by Catholics in Paris, France, beginning on 24 August 1572, St. Bartholomew's Day.

Q: How many people died in the St. Bartholomew's Day Massacre?

The lowest estimate of deaths from St. Bartholomew's Day Massacre is 5,000, and the highest is 25,000-30,000. The death toll is impossible to tally accurately as many of the dead were thrown into rivers.

Q: What caused the St. Bartholomew's Day Massacre?

The immediate cause of the St. Bartholomew's Day Massacre was an assassination attempt on the Protestant leader Admiral Coligny and the Catholic fear of a Protestant reprisal. The underlying, primary cause of the massacre was the diverse religious identification of the people and their intolerance for other belief systems.

Q: What was the result of the St. Bartholomew's Day Massacre?

The immediate result of St. Bartholomew's Day Massacre was a significant decrease in the Protestant population of France through death, flight to other countries, or conversion to Catholicism. The long-term results were greater awareness of religious diversity and probable animosity in international diplomacy.

Joshua J. Mark

St. Bartholomew's Day Massacre

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Definition

The St. Bartholomew's Day Massacre was a widespread slaughter of French Protestants (Huguenots) by Catholics beginning on 24 August 1572 and lasting over two months, resulting in the deaths of between 5,000 and 25,000 people. It began in Paris when the Catholic faction, fearing a Huguenot uprising, assassinated the leading Protestants who were there for a royal wedding.

More about: St. Bartholomew's Day Massacre

Timeline

24 Aug 1572
St. Bartholomew's Day Massacre begins in Paris; eventually lasting over two months.

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