At the time, the understanding was that state must be relatively autonomous from major religious concerns.

The post-reformation European political theorists believed that Europe had experienced the religious conflict within states and between states, with support from the church. This experience called for a change in the relations between European religious institutions and political institutions.

5. Conquest and Colonization of the New World

The centralization of Spain as a state within independent power from the nobles, led to its absolution from Western Europe. This led to the softened the estate system, released personnel and forces from commoner estate, with its effects having significant consequences in the conquest and colonization of the New World. The Spanish conquest and colonization of America was further fueled by their military struggle following its success with the Muslims in Europe. Their military strength implied that Spain, the conqueror and controller of America had the necessary...
[ View Full Essay]