Page:The Science of History and the Hope of Mankind.djvu/47



counter to the Catholic Emperor's system of persecution.

In the meantime the Inquisition, set up by Philip II. to establish religious uniformity and centralise both politics and religion, had the baneful effect of crushing the national industries, by compelling the Protestant and Moorish artisans to seek refuge in the hospitable anti-Catholic countries. Economic resources having been thus hollowed out by the expulsion of the skilled labourers and organisers, the finances of the Empire presented a miserable condition. Thus just at the time when the people of the Netherlands, unable to bear the political and religious tyranny, were organised for war under the most patriotic and desperate leaders, the despot's sinews of war had become effete and inefficient.