Thirty Years' War Overview

Central European Monarchs Clash

• Tension arose between Lutherans and Catholics in central Europe.
• The Bohemian Protestants revolted against Catholic Habsburg rulers (Ferdinand II) in 1618.
• This revolt triggered the Thirty Years' War, a conflict over religion, land, and power.

The Thirty Years' War (continued)

• Habsburg armies (sometimes spelled Habsburg) achieved many victories between 1618 and 1630.
• Habsburg troops plundered many German villages.
• The Protestant, Gustavus Adolphus of Sweden, with his disciplined army, drove Habsburg armies out of northern Germany, but he was killed in battle.
• French Cardinal Richelieu and Mazarin feared growing Habsburg power more than the Protestants. Therefore, they sent French (Catholic) troops to aid German and Swedish Protestants against the Habsburg armies.

Thirty Years' War (continued)

• The Habsburg domains reached their peak in the mid-16th century, dominating much of Central Europe.

End of the Thirty Years' War

• The war decimated the German economy and drastically reduced its population from roughly 20 million to 16 million.
• Germany's recovery from the devastation took a long time. This prolonged the process of German unification, which occurred in 1871.
• The Peace of Westphalia (1648) concluded the war.
• The treaty recognised Europe as a collection of independent states.
• The Treaty of Westphalia diminished the power of the Habsburgs and strengthened France.
• It marked the end of religious wars in Europe.
• The treaty introduced a concept of negotiating peaceful terms between warring parties.
• The idea of a united Catholic European empire was abandoned.

States Form in Central Europe

• Central Europe's economy remained heavily reliant on agriculture and serfdom. It was rigidly controlled by the landowning nobility. This differed significantly from Western Europe, where cities were evolving into centers of commerce, and a middle class was emerging.
• Several large empires, such as the Ottoman and Holy Roman Empires, in Central Europe were losing strength.
• Landowning nobles in Central Europe prevented the growth of royal power within their regions and empires.

Rise of the Austrian Empire

• The Habsburg family's Austrian branch expanded its territories and established a large empire.
• Ruling a diverse empire with numerous ethnic groups posed a significant challenge.
• Emperor Charles VI ensured his daughter, Maria Theresa, inherited the throne through the Pragmatic Sanction.
• Maria Theresa, Empress of Austria, faced challenges and conflicts after inheriting the throne.

Pragmatic Sanction

• This document legally established Maria Theresa as the heir to the Austrian throne.

Maria Theresa of Austria

• Known for her daughter Marie Antoinette.
• Reduced the influence of the nobility.
• Worked towards improving the conditions of serfs.

Prussia Challenges Austria

• The Hohenzollern rulers of Prussia developed Europe's most powerful army.
• Prussian rulers called themselves kings and established absolute monarchies.
• Frederick William introduced permanent taxation, giving Prussian nobles, the Junkers, exclusive officer ranks in the Prussian army, in exchange for their loyalty.
• Frederick the Great became king and continued his father’s military policies. He modified some of his laws to maintain stability.

Frederick II (The Great)

• King of Prussia, nicknamed "Old Fritz".

What Makes Frederick Great?

• He supported religious tolerance and legal reforms.
• He believed a ruler should act like a father figure to his people. This earning him the reputation of an "Enlightened Despot."

Prussia Challenges Austria: The War of Austrian Succession

• In 1740, Frederick II initiated a war against Austria to seize Silesia, an area rich in resources like iron ore, textiles, and food.
• Maria Theresa initially resisted but was ultimately forced to concede Silesia in a treaty.
• This war established Prussia's position as a major European power.

Prussia Challenges Austria: The Seven Years' War

• Austria allied with France against Britain and Prussia.
• In 1756, Frederick II attacked Saxony. This set off the Seven Years' War.
• This war, also known as the French and Indian War in North America, did not lead to significant territorial changes in Europe.
• France lost colonies in North America, and Britain gained control of India.

Explore the complexities of the Thirty Years' War, a pivotal conflict in central European history marked by the struggle between Lutheran and Catholic factions. This quiz delves into key events, including the Bohemian Revolt and the significant military engagements that shaped the era. Test your knowledge of the Habsburgs, Gustavus Adolphus, and the broader implications of this religious war.