Central European Monarchs Clash Thirty Years War 1618

Central European Monarchs Clash

Thirty Years’ War (1618 -1648) Ø Holy Roman Empire has broken down into several Prussian (German) territories. Ø Peace of Augsburg – Choose Lutheran or Catholic; peace was short lived; Calvinists move into area and all princes allied with their “own kind” Ø 1618: Ferdinand of Bohemia (Hapsburg king) elected emperor. He is Anti – Protestant. Tried to return Prussia (Germany) to Catholicism. Ø Spain, Poland supported Ferdinand. Ø Protestant countries – Sweden, Netherlands – sent troops into Prussia to protect Protestants. Ø France comes in on side of Sweden to protect Alsace from Prussian control and to insure that the Hapsburgs monarchy would not be as powerful as France. Ø Over thirty years alliances continually changed. Ø War led to starvation, famine and disease. Area severely depopulated.

Thirty Years’ War (1618 -1648) • 1648: Peace of Westphalia signed. • New Peace method used for 1 st time! • Germany is destroyed (population decimated, agriculture and economy destroyed) • Prussia remains fragmented • German princes independent of HRE • Spanish and Austrian Hapsburgs lose much power. • France is clear winner, gains territory from Spain and Prussia, including Alsace. • Ended the religious wars • MOST IMPORTANT- beginning of the modern state; no more religious empires • Power vacuum in the central part of Europe will be filled by two German speaking families!

From World History: Connections to Today Prentice Hall, 2003

Prussia & the Austrian Empire: 1721 -22

Austria – Maria Theresa (Hapsburg) 1740 - 1780 Ø Absolute monarch of Austria Ø Controlled a diverse population Ø Inherited the throne from her father, Charles VI; other leaders promised to recognize her as leader Ø Took away nobles power Ø Enlightened Despot Ø Eased tax and labor burden on her people Ø Gave more rights to her subjects Ø Gave birth to 16 children while in power (Louis XIV’ wife, Marie Antoinette)

Maria Theresa & Her Family Her Notable Children: § HRE Joseph II § HRE Leopold II § Queen Marie Antoinette (Fr. )

Frederick I - King of Prussia 1713 -1740 l Family name: Hohenzollerns l Also known as the Great Elector l Fear b/c of 30 yr. war - builds the strongest army in Europe l Becomes an absolute monarch ¡To protect his lands ¡Began calling themselves kings ¡Introduced taxation l Weakened the representative assemblies of their territories

• Junkers- Prussia’s landowning nobility • Originally oppose Fredericks growing power • Later are given the exclusive rights to be officers in the military • Prussia becomes a strictly controlled, highly militarized society.

Frederick the Great • King of Prussia • Frederick II • 1740 -1786

Frederick II “the Great” • Childhood: Not military enough? • Frederick loves poetry, music, and philosophy • Runs away with a friend • Gets caught • Forced to watch his friend get beheaded • Leaves Frederick with bitter memories

Frederick II “the Great” • Once king he follows his fathers military policies. • Softened some of his fathers laws • Encouraged religious toleration and legal reform • Believed that a ruler should be like a father to his people

War of Austrian Succession Frederick II of Prussia wants control of Hungary and Silesia (1740) Silesia- an area that produces iron ore, textiles & food products. - He doubts Maria’s power - Maria Theresa gathers and army and together with Great Britain and Hungary fight Prussia and France. - Result: Maria Theresa loses Silesia Prussians unified into 1 nation and become a major power!

War of the Austrian Succession

Seven Years War • Maria Theresa (Austria) makes an alliance with France – she switched alliances • Frederick the Great (Prussia) signs an alliance with Great Britain – he switched alliances • Austria, France, and Russia vs. Prussia and Great Britain. • 1 st time Russia has played a part in European affairs. • 1756 Frederick attacks Saxony (an Austrian ally) • Seven Years war begins (1756 -1763) • Also known as the French and Indian War • British emerge as the victors and French lost its colonies in North America.