The Thirty Years’ War
An “Age of Crisis” Yearning for order Increased gov’t power “Little Ice Age” Vulnerability in villages Economic recession in most of Europe
Background to the Thirty Years’ War Militant Catholicism vs. Militant Calvinism & Bourbons vs. Habsburgs Peace of Augsburg (1555) Did not account for Calvinism Formation of Protestant Union (1608) Formation of Catholic League (1609) Habsburg consolidation resisted by princes
The Bohemian Phase (1618-1625) Bohemia traditionally resisted Catholicism Habsburg Archduke Ferdinand elected king in 1617 Defenestration of Prague – May 1618 Ferdinand deposed, replaced with Elector Frederick V Ferdinand (HRE) allied with Duke Maximilian of Bavaria Battle of White Mountain, Nov. 8, 1620 Ferdinand reestablished as King of Bohemia, now a hereditary Habsburg possession
Talk About It At this point in the war, which groups/sides are winning and why?
Danish Phase (1625-1629) Intervention of King Christian IV of Denmark Albrecht of Wallestein – appointed by HRE Ferdinand to lead Catholic/Imperial army Denmark defeated by Catholic League in 1626 Edict of Restitution, 1629
Talk About It At this point in the war, which groups/sides are winning and why?
Swedish Phase (1630-1635) Arrival of Swedish king Gustavus Adolphus Battle of Lutzen, 1632 Battle of Nordlingen, 1634 Edict of Restitution annulled
Talk About It At this point in the war, which groups/sides are winning and why?
Franco-Swedish Phase (1635-1648) Religious issue losing significance Battle of Rocroi, 1643 Not decisive overall victory
Outcomes of the War 1648 – Peace of Westphalia ended war Clearly separation between religion & politics Beginning of modern international order Many areas of Germany devastated Part of “military revolution”