Use the collection of documents collected by Barbara Diefendorf in The Saint Bartholomew’s Day Massacre: A Brief History with Documents to answer one of the following prompts. This paper should be five pages double spaced. It should include direct and specific evidence from the primary sources within the book to support your points and that evidence should be cited either with footnotes or in-text citations [ex: (Diefendorf, 25)]. Avoid relying on the introduction to the book or the introductions to the documents. You can use them for context, but concentrate on using the primary sources themselves. Do not use the internet for help, it will only hinder you. Answer ONE of the following prompts.
1. What stereotypes did Catholics have of Protestants and Protestants of Catholics? How did these stereotypes help perpetuate or justify violence?
2. Using the documents as evidence, why was it so hard for the two religions to live together in peace?
3. Where do women surface in these documents and what do these moments tell us about gender and the Reformation or gender and religious violence?
4. How was information spread about the events detailed in these documents? How does this help us understand the period and the events themselves?
5. Pretend you are a person from the period and that you view one of the images from the book. What would your reaction be? Pick two other documents that you to back up your points. Be specific about your persona: are you Protestant? Catholic? What social class do you belong to? Where do you live?
