AP EURO Unit 1 Age of Absolutism Lesson

AP EURO Unit #1 – Age of Absolutism Lesson #2 Thirty Years War

Thirty Years War • • (1618 -1648) Most important war of the 17 th Century Shattered the Peace of Augsburg (1555) Reshaped national hegemony Destroyed trust and commerce Ended Wars of Religion Leaders made and destroyed Killed MILLIONS In a way… The first “World War”

Questions to ponder • Why would they call this a “World War? • What makes the two wars we call “the World Wars” get to be called “world”? • Do you think WWI and WWII will one day be taught as one big conflict?

What changed?

The Thirty Years War 1. War of religion 1. Last and most destructive of the Wars of Religion 2. Catholic vs. Protestant 2. War of hegemony 1. Included nearly every major power in Europe 2. Reshaped the map of Europe 3. Spain lost leadership position 4. Replaced by France 3. Fought in The Empire, much in Bohemia 1. Result: the Empire would be left in shambles 2. Far too many German dead to count

Basics of the War • • Four phases Started in Bohemia Empire tried to slaughter Protestant rebels Spain immediately joined to support Empire – And protect the Spanish Netherlands • Other nations joined in – Denmark – Sweden – France

Why would Spain care? They are the regional superpower Support their Hapsburg brethren Perhaps gain some cheap land Why would others care? Maybe they were religious, & wanted to back their “type” Maybe they saw an opportunity for free land Maybe they wanted to become more respected FOMO

Opposing Sides • Protestant Alliance (1609) – Formed by Frederick of the Palatinate – Prepared to defend against Emperors Palatinate • Catholic League (1609) – Formed by Maximillian of Bavaria – Prepared to aggression from Protestants – Under command of Count Tilly

Phase #1: BOHEMIAN PHASE • Defenestration of Prague (1618) (1618 -1625) – Ferdinand Hapsburg – ascended to King of Bohemia – Bohemia (part of Austria and Empire) was a bastion for religious liberty… Catholics &Protestants lived in peace click – Ferdinand revoked religious freedoms – Bohemians chose Frederick to be their king – “The Winter King” (1619 -1620) – Ferdinand sent envoys to Bohemia – Bohemians threw them out the window – “DEFENESTRATION OF PRAGUE” (50’) • Ferdinand elected Emperor (1619) – Sent troops to reclaim Bohemia

Phase #1: BOHEMIAN PHASE • Ferdinand (Hapsburg) asked Spanish Hapsburgs for support • Spain immediately sent support • Attacked Frederick at BATTLE OF THE WHITE MOUNTAIN • Catholics (Spain and HRE) defeated Protestants (Bohemia) • Empire absorbed Bohemia into Hapsburg domain

Polish-Ottoman War (1620 -1621) • Hungarians feared Catholic invasion • Made a deal with Ottomans • Ottomans sent 60, 000 cavalry, 400, 000 troops – Attacked Catholic Poland – Hapsburgs (HRE) sent troops to back Poles – Poland lost • Poland struck back, and won • War became a stalemate; both stayed out of religious conflict in the Empire

Remind me… Why does Spain care? 1. Spain was humiliated in 1588 2. Hapsburgs lands split 3. By 1600 s, bullion from Americas started to trickle 4. Wealthiest section is the Spanish Netherlands (not officially recognized by Spain as the United Provinces)

Albrecht von Wallenstein • • War profiteer A great military leader Hired to replace Maximilian of Bavaria Maximilian was becoming too powerful Emperor needed to control military moves Wallenstein raised over 100, 000 men Broke resistance of Protestants But then HE started collecting lands and wealth…

Phase #2 - Danish Phase (1625 -1629) • • • Dutch, French and English formed a league Why is this strange? Christian of Denmark Lutheran To support Protestants Christian invaded – wanted more coastal towns Quickly defeated by Wallenstein Emperor feared Wallenstein’s power Emperor replaced Wallenstein with Tilly

Why would France join the Protestants? Plus… Why not beat up on the “big guy”?

#3 - Swedish Phase (1630 -1635) • • • Gustavus Adolphus Invaded with French $$ A whole new kind of warfare Swift, agile, mobile Smaller cannon Loyal soldiers – Most fighters so far are mercenaries – Swedes are led by their king • • France leader: Cardinal Richelieu (for King Louis XIII) Destroyed Tilly’s forces at Breitenfeld Emperor recalled Wallenstein

Albrecht von Wallenstein • • Gustavus (Sweden) killed in battle Wallenstein had no real competition Started claiming land Had grown too powerful Emperor feared his power Had him assassinated Protestants struck for peace Spain stepped up campaign

Phase #4 - French Phase • • • (1635 -1648) Most sections of Empire signed peace treaties Spain exhausted Swedes getting greedy France saw weakness France declared war on Spain Entered war Now a war on Empire soil of Spain vs. France Utter destruction and death France wore down Hapsburgs Kept fighting until Spanish went home 3 m

Peace of Westphalia War grinded to a halt after 30 years of death Results? 33% of German population dead 40% of rural population dead 50% of Bohemian population dead Trade in Empire destroyed France replaced Spain as leader in Europe Recognition of Calvinism, Swiss Confederation and United Provinces • Empire reduced to shell around independent states • Back to Peace of Augsburg conditions… • • 4 m

Document Analysis of 30 Years War Picture #1 on p. 485: • What do we learn about the Swedish Army? • What is likely exception about this army? • How is this army very Humanistic? • Once King Gustavus Adolphus is gone, what will likely happen? Picture #2 on p. 483: • Why did so many soldiers get away this treatment? • What does this say about peasants and their relationship with current German leadership? • What will Germans be HUNGRY for by wars end? • Germans became VERY disciplined, with a VERY disciplined army… why will peasants support this?

Create a chart: Who fought Phase III Phase IV What happened Who won Results