What caused the Defenestration of Prague?

The Defenestration of Prague, which took place in 1618, was primarily triggered by Ferdinand's desire for more political and religious power over the Protestant nobles in Bohemia. The Holy Roman Emperor, Ferdinand II, who was a devout Catholic, sought to impose restrictions on Protestant practices and reinforce Catholic dominance in his realm. This desire to consolidate power over a predominantly Protestant region created significant tensions.

The event itself involved the throwing of two Catholic officials out of the window of Prague Castle by Protestant nobles as a direct response to Ferdinand's autocratic measures and perceived encroachments on their rights. It symbolized the rising discontent among the Protestant population and was a key escalatory factor leading to the broader conflict of the Thirty Years' War. Thus, the driving force behind the Defenestration was the power struggle between Ferdinand and the Protestant nobles, making it clear that political and religious motives were at the core of this significant historical incident.