Outline:
Elizabeth I of England & Catherine de Medici of France
Thesis-The similarities and differences between Elizabeth and Catherine caused them both to be great female leaders of their time, having the authority over others to see that their religions were the country's.
Elizabeth- strong leader
Protestant
Changed England’s religion back to Protestant from Catholic
Openly supported Dutch in the war against Phillip II and Spain
Phillip sent Spanish Armada, but less than half made it back
Elizabeth was a force to be reckoned with
Catherine- another strong leader
Also a mother
Catholic
Kept her son Catholic, so he could make France a Catholic country
Made her a powerful force
Comparisons and Contrasts- both were strong women
Wanted to keep their religion that of the country’s
Different religions
Different levels of power and authority
In the past, religious policies were a big deal. They were important, and they could cause a war, or keep the peace. Elizabeth the I and Catherine de Medici were two very different people. They came from different families, had different upbringings, and had different religious views. The similarities and differences between Elizabeth and Catherine caused them both to be great female leaders of their time, having the authority over others to see that their religions were the country's.
When Elizabeth I came into power, the main religion was Catholicism. She had grown up a Protestant, so this obviously had to change. Because the Church of England was Protestant, the majority was already Protestant, so it was not very hard to change back. She was a very powerful leader, who argued her point to win. Elizabeth's ousting Catholicism as the country religion was a great thing, and made the people like her. It also caused her to come into conflict with Phillip II of France, who was at war against the Dutch, trying to take over their country to make the country's religion Catholic. She was afraid that he would try to take over England as well. When Phillip found out that Elizabeth openly supported the Protestant Dutch, he was infuriated, so he sent out the Spanish Armada to attack England and kill Elizabeth. However, this did not happen. The Spanish Armada lost over half of their ships, and almost all of their dignity. Elizabeth was a force to be reckoned with when it came to her country's religion.
Catherine de Medici is a different story. She was from France, and her son was going to be a great ruler. Catherine was a Catholic, and wanted it to stay that way. She raised her son as a Catholic, so that when he ruled, he would change France to a Catholic country. A mother's rule over her son is always a great thing, because once the mother knows that her son will do what she wishes for him to, she can have a greater control over the actions that take place in the country. Catherine's specific action that she wanted to take place, was the change of the French Huguenots to Catholics. Because of her control over her son's actions, Catherine was at a great power over what went on.
Both women were very powerful in their time. Elizabeth was a queen, and Catherine was the mother of a French ruler. Both wanted their religions to be the country religion. However, they were of different religions. Catherine wanted France to be a Catholic country, and Elizabeth made England a Protestant one. Their levels of authority were also different. Elizabeth was the Queen of England, while Catherine was the mother of a French king. Elizabeth had more of a direct control over everyone and everything, while Catherine controlled over only some of her son's decisions.
Both Elizabeth and Catherine were great female rulers of their time. They had the authority over others to be able to make the country they lived in their religion. This was a huge power, because of the affect it had on others. It could either lead to a civil war, or it could lead to a more peaceful country. The change from Catholic to Protestant and from Huguenot to Catholic were huge steps in the way a country ran.
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