Final answer:
France, a Catholic country, supported the Protestant princes during the Thirty Years' War as part of a strategic move to increase its power in Europe. so, option C is the correct answer.
Step-by-step explanation:
During the Thirty Years' War, which was a series of conflicts from 1618 to 1648 that involved most of the countries in Europe, France, a Catholic country, supported the Protestant princes and rulers against the Habsburgs. This was not for religious reasons, but rather a political maneuver by France to curb the power of the Habsburgs and to become the preeminent power in Europe. Despite being a Catholic nation, France’s decision to support the Protestant cause highlights the complex web of political interests that sometimes overshadowed religious affiliations during this era.
For the initial questions provided for context: Portugal initiated the era of Atlantic exploration, Spain established the first colonies in the Americas, and the Protestant Reformation began in Northern Europe.