The Huguenot Wars were a series of conflicts in France during the 16th and early 17th centuries, primarily between the Catholics and the Huguenots, who were French Protestants influenced by the teachings of John Calvin. These wars were fueled by religious tensions, political power struggles, and social issues, leading to significant violence and instability in the country. The most notable conflicts included the French Wars of Religion, which lasted from 1562 to 1598, culminating in the Edict of Nantes that granted limited religious freedoms to the Huguenots. Despite this, tensions persisted, leading to further conflicts and the eventual decline of the Huguenot community in France.