Central European Monarchs Clash
Thirty Years’ War (1618-1648) Holy Roman Empire has broken down into several Prussian (German) territories. Peace of Augsburg – Choose Lutheran or Catholic; peace was short lived; Calvinists move into area and all princes allied with their “own kind” 1618: Ferdinand of Bohemia (Hapsburg king) elected emperor. He is Anti – Protestant. Tried to return Prussia (Germany) to Catholicism. Spain, Poland supported Ferdinand. Protestant countries – Sweden, Netherlands – sent troops into Prussia to protect Protestants. 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. Over thirty years alliances continually changed. 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 1st 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
Hapsburgs & Austria
Prussia & the Austrian Empire: 1721-22
Austria – Maria Theresa (Hapsburg) 1740 - 1780 Absolute monarch of Austria Controlled a diverse population Inherited the throne from her father, Charles VI; other leaders promised to recognize her as leader Took away nobles power Enlightened Despot Eased tax and labor burden on her people Gave more rights to her subjects 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.)
The Hohenzollerns & Brandenburg-Prussia
Frederick I - King of Prussia 1713-1740 Family name: Hohenzollerns Also known as the Great Elector Fear b/c of 30 yr. war - builds the strongest army in Europe Becomes an absolute monarch To protect his lands Began calling themselves kings Introduced taxation 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
The War of the Austrian Succession 1741 - 1748
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. 1st 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.