Question

Why did France get involved in the Thirty Years' War? On whose side?

Answer 1

Religion and political control

Explanation:

France got involved on the side of the "Germanic" Holy Roman Empire which was Catholic and was trying to suppress the Protestant movement in Germany started by Martin Luther.

France was a mainly Catholic country and was part of the Holy Roman Empire. Under the direction of the Catholic Church the armies of France were sent across Belgium and the Netherlands to support the Catholic forces of the Holy Roman Empire in Germany.

France had both political and religious motivations for becoming involved in the 30 years war. The 30 years war was an effort to stabilize the power of the Holy Roman Empire and to suppress the growing anti Catholic movement of the Protestant Reformation.