The Catholic Church's Influence Over European Politics

Economic slowdown was marked in what had been the power house of european industry. By 16 50, economic downfall and serious plagues meant that population fell in major cities by up to 50%. Over exploitation of land badly depleted soil fertility and led to deforestation. In the 30 years war, even mighty venice began to slip from view. The desire from france to control its own clergy ate away at papal influence.