Chapter 5 Section 3

Central European Monarchs Clash

I can explain how the clash of Central European monarchs led to war.

I can describe the impact of the Thirty Years War.

I can analyze how the causes of war are the same yesterday, today, and forever.

DLT:

Peace of AugsburgGerman princes determined religion of their

statesTension

Both Lutherans and Catholics felt threatened by Calvinism

Protestant UnionLutherans joined together

Catholic LeagueCatholics joined together a year later

Alliances are formed…waiting on the spark!

Huh? Religion causes war? Maybe.

Ferdinand II, future HRE and head of the Hapsburg family ruled BohemiaHe was Catholic, they were protestant

Bohemians did not trust ol’ FerdHe was a foreigner and a Catholic

Ferd closed some Protestant ChurchesThe Bohemian Protestants revoltedFerd sent in an army to crush the rebellionSeveral German Protestant princes took this

chance to challenge their Catholic emperor

The spark…was Ferd a turd?

Opinion Poll on Ol’Ferd

1618-1648Conflict over religion, territory, and power

among European ruling familiesTwo main phases of the war…

Hapsburg TriumphsHapsburg Defeats

The Thirty Years’ War Begins

First twelve yearsHapsburg armies from Austria and Spain

crushed the armies of the German Protestant princes

Hapsburg put down a Czech uprising and defeated the German Protestants who supported the Czechs

Hapsburg Triumphs

Hapsburg DefeatsTide turned in 1630

with Protestant Gustavus Adolphus of Sweden and his army of 23,000

Drove Hapsburgs out of northern Germany

The French Cardinals, Richelieu and Mazarin, joined the ProtestantsWHY?

Great damage to GermanyPopulation dropped from 20 million to 16

millionTrade and agriculture were disruptedEconomy was ruinedLong, difficult recoveryGermany would not be a unified state until

the 1800s

Results of War

Peace of Westphalia 1648Weakened the

Hapsburg states (Spain&Austria)

Strengthened France (gave German territory)

German princes independent of HRE

Ended religious warsNew method of

peace negotiation that we still use today

Catholic Empire would no longer rule over most of Europe

Europe was a group of equal, independent states

Marked the beginning of the modern state system

Most important results

Serfs in Western Europe slowly won freedom and moved to towns during the late Middle Ages

Serfs in Central Europe restricted from gaining freedom and moving to citiesThis way the nobles could produce a large

harvest and sell the surplus to Western Europe at a great profit

Economic Contrasts with the West

Nobles held down the serfs, but also blocked the development of strong kings

Kingdom of PolandLittle income, no law courts, no standing army

Holy Roman EmpireWeakened by the 30 Years’ War, no control of

German states, HRE had no real powerOttoman Empire

Reached its peak in 1529 and declined

Several Weak Empires

Hapsburgs took steps to become absolute monarchs

1st Conquered Bohemia and wiped out Protestantism, new Czech nobility pledged loyalty to them

2nd Ruler centralized govt and created standing army

3rd 1699 they had reclaimed Hungary from Ottomans

1711 Charles VI ruled a diverse groupCzechs, Hungarians, Italians, Croatians, and

GermansWore the Austrian, Hungarian, and Bohemian

crowns to keep the empire together

Austria Grows Stronger

Maria Theresa Inherits Austria 1717-1780Charles VI’s eldest

daughterCharles had

bargained with other leaders, making an agreement to ensure a peaceful reign

Instead, she faced years of war

Her main enemy: Prussia (north of Austria)

Ruling Family: HohenzollernsTheir ambition threatened to disrupt the

delicate balance of power in EuropeTheir land: German states of Brandenburg

and Prussia

Prussia Challenges Austria

Frederick William, Elector of Brandenburg 1640 “Great Elector”Decided that having a

strong army was the only way to ensure safety

80,000 men to protect their lands

Permanent taxationWeakened representative

assembliesJunkers resisted, but

were then offered military positions

Frederick (II) the Great 1712-1786His father believed

he was soft (made him witness friend’s death)

Followed his father’s military policies

Softened some lawsReligious tolerationLegal reform

Believed ruler should be a father to his people

Frederick the Great wanted the Austrian land of Silesia because of its rich natural resources

He assumed Maria Theresa wouldn’t fight back

She went to the Hungarian nobles for aidGreat Britain also joined the Austrians to

fight their long time enemy (France), who was helping Prussia

Maria Theresa stopped Prussia, but lost Silesia in the Treaty of Aix-la-ChapelleWith Silesia, Prussia became a major European

power

War of the Austrian Succession 1740-1748

Maria Theresa made an alliance with FranceFrederick then signed a treaty with BritainNow Austria, France, Russia, and others were allied

against Britain and Prussia1756 Frederick attacked Saxony (Austrian ally)Every great European power joined the warFought in Europe, India, and North America (French

and Indian War)Didn’t change territories in EuropeBritish won, as France lost its colonies in North

America, and British gained economic dominance of India

Seven Years War 1756-1763