AP World History Practice Exam 2026 – The Comprehensive All-in-One Guide to Exam Success!

The Edict of Nantes, issued in 1598 by King Henry IV of France, is the document that granted religious freedom to the Huguenots, who were French Protestants influenced by Calvinism. This edict was a significant historical milestone, as it sought to bring an end to the religious wars that had plagued France for decades. By allowing Huguenots the right to worship freely and hold public office, it aimed to foster civil peace and coexistence between Catholics and Protestants within France.

The Magna Carta, established in 1215, primarily focused on limiting the powers of the monarchy and ensuring certain legal rights for nobles, without addressing religious freedoms. The Declaration of the Rights of Man, adopted in 1789 during the French Revolution, emphasized individual rights and the idea of popular sovereignty but did not specifically focus on Huguenots or their religious liberties. The Bill of Rights, created in England in 1689, primarily addressed rights concerning governance and parliamentary supremacy, rather than specific religious freedoms in France. Thus, the Edict of Nantes stands out as the key document that specifically catered to the needs of the Huguenots for religious tolerance.