Evaluate the extent to which states in the period 1450-1750 practiced religious tolerance.

This differed much between states.

Explanation:

As the Reformation (the intended Reform of the Catholic church, 1500s) spread through Europe, some countries improved on their religious tolerance, others not. In general the protestant countries were more tolerant than their Catholic counterparts. England (Calvinism) and especially Germany and the Netherlands were quite tolerant. The latter received religious groups expelled from other countries, like the Hugenots (who were also well received in Berlin) from Catholic France and the jews from Catholic Spain. As a matter of fact, Amsterdam became one of the first financial centres due to the financial experience and knowledge of religious minorities.

In Spain the Catholic Monarchy was relentlessly suppressing religious minorities (jews, arabs) and exterminating them (The Sacred Inquisition) or converting them. This even marked their empire overseas. In Veracruz, Mexico, the Jews and Portuguese 'heretics' were expelled in the 17th century from what used to be one of the most important harbours of the planet. The drainage of experience left Veracruz a century long isolated.