Question

This first minister of France sent troops to help the Protestants in the Thirty Years' War despite the fact that he was a Catholic cardinal:

A) Richelieu
B) Mazarin
C) Colbert
D) Sully

Answer 1

Cardinal Richelieu, the Catholic cardinal and first minister of France, sent troops to support the Protestants during the Thirty Years' War to weaken the Habsburgs' power, demonstrating the era's complex political-religious landscape.

Step-by-step explanation:

The first minister of France who sent troops to help the Protestants in the Thirty Years' War despite being a Catholic cardinal was Cardinal Richelieu. As a powerful political figure, he put the interests of the state above religious divisions. Richelieu's actions were part of France's larger strategy to counterbalance the power of the Habsburg dynasty. The motive behind his involvement in the Thirty Years' War was more about geopolitical strategy than religious alignment. This highlighted the complex interplay between religion and politics during the period.