Central European Monarchs Clash Chapter 21 Section 3

Central European Monarchs Clash Chapter 21, Section 3

Section Opener n After a period of turmoil, absolute monarchs rule Austria and the Germanic state of Prussia.

The Thirty Years’ War n Rising Tension – Tension rises between Lutherans and Catholics in central Europe n Bohemian Protestants Revolt – In 1618, Protestants revolt against Catholic Hapsburg rulers (Ferdinand II) – Result in Thirty Years’ War—conflict over religion, land, power

Thirty Years’ War (continued) n Hapsburg Triumphs (sometimes spelled “Habsburg”) – From 1618 to 1630, Hapsburg armies have many victories – Troops plunder many German villages

Ferdinand II, Holy Roman Emperor (1619 -1637)

House of Habsburg coat of arms at their height

Austrian Hapsburg Coat of Arms

Current Flag & Coat of Arms of Austria civil flag of Austria coat of arms of Austria

State and War Flag of Austria A combination of the civil flag and the coat of arms of Austria.

Thirty Years’ War (continued) n Hapsburg Defeats – In 1630, tide turns in favor of Protestants n Peace of Westphalia – War ruins German economy, greatly decreases population – Peace of Westphalia (1648) ends war – Treaty weakens Hapsburgs, strengthens France – Treaty introduces idea of negotiating terms of peace n Beginning of Modern States – Treaty recognizes Europe as group of independent states

States Form in Central Europe n Economic Contrasts with the West – Economy in central Europe still based in serfs and agriculture. n Several Weak Empires – Landowning nobles in central Europe Block growth of kings’ power. – Ottoman and Holy Roman Empires are also weak.

Austria Grows Stronger n Austria Grows Stronger – Hapsburgs in Austria take more lands, rule large empire n Maria Theresa Inherits the Austrian Throne – Maria Theresa becomes empress of Austria and faces years of war.

The Pragmatic Sanction This document, The Pragmatic Sanction, declared that Maria Theresa would inherit the Austrian throne.

Maria Theresa of Austria

Prussia Challenges Austria n The Rise of Prussia – Hohenzollern rulers of Prussia build Europe’s best army – They call themselves kings and become absolute monarchs. – Nobles resist royal power, but king buys loyalty. n Frederick the Great – Frederick the Great becomes king of Prussia – Enforces father’s military policies but softens some of his laws.

Frederick II (The Great) of Prussia. He was nicknamed “Old Fritz”.

Prussia Challenges Austria n War of Austrian Succession – In 1740, Frederick starts war against Austria to gain Silesia. – Maria Theresa resists Prussian power but loses Silesia in treaty. – As a result of the war, Prussia becomes a major power in Europe.

Prussia Challenges Austria n The Seven Years’ War – Austria allies with France against Britain and Prussia – In 1756, Frederick attacks Saxony, launching Seven Years’ War. – France loses colonies in North America, Britain gains India.