Archduke Ferdinand II was a member of the Habsburg dynasty, born in 1578. He became the Holy Roman Emperor in 1619 and ruled until his death in 1637. His reign was marked by the Thirty Years' War, a devastating conflict in Europe that began in 1618, largely due to religious and political tensions between Catholics and Protestants. Ferdinand II was a staunch Catholic and sought to strengthen Catholicism in his territories. His policies often led to increased conflict, as he attempted to suppress Protestantism. His actions significantly influenced the course of the Thirty Years' War and the political landscape of Europe during the early 17th century.