Central European Monarchs Clash Chapter Five – Section Three

Absolutism Objective Summarize the development of absolute and constitutional monarchies in Europe from 1500 to 1800

Chapters in Brief Germany had suffered from religious wars that ended in 1555. Rulers of each state agreed that they would decide whether their lands would be Catholic or Protestant. Over the next decades, though, the two sides had tense relations. In 1618, a new war broke out and lasted for 30 terrible years. In the first half of the war, Catholic forces led by Ferdinand -the Holy Roman Emperor, won. However, Germany suffered, because he allowed his large army to loot towns. Then the Protestant king of Sweden won several battles against him. In the last years of the war, France helped the Protestants. Although France was a Catholic nation, Richelieu feared growing Hapsburg family power.

Chapters in Brief The Thirty Year’s War ended in1648 with the Peace of Westphalia. It had been a disaster for Germany. About four million people had died, and the economy was in ruins. It took Germany two centuries to recover. The peace weakened the power of Austria and Spain and made France stronger. Because of this war, each nation of Europe was seen as having an equal right to negotiate with the others. While strong states arose in western Europe, none emerged in central Europe. The economies there were less developed than in the West. Most people were still peasants. This region had not built an economy based in towns. Nobles enjoyed great power, which kept the power of rulers in check. Still, two important powers arose.

Chapters in Brief The Hapsburg family ruled Austria, Hungary, and Bohemia in an empire that linked many different peoples. Maria Theresa, Queen of Austria, managed to increase her power and cut that of the nobles. She was opposed by the kings of Prussia, a new state in northern Germany. Those kings built a strong state with much power given to the large, well-trained army. In 1740, Frederick the Great of Prussia invaded one of Maria Theresa’s lands. The queen fought hard to keep the territory, but lost. Still, in fighting this War of the Austrian Succession, she managed to keep the rest of her empire intact. The two sides fought again beginning in 1756. In the Seven Years’ War, Austria abandoned Britain, its old ally, for France and Russia. Prussia joined with Britain. The Prussians and British won. In that victory, Britain gained complete control over France’s colonies in North America and India.

Conflict Mounts 1555 – Peace of Augsburg (German Prince’s could pick – Catholic or Lutheran) 1608 – Lutherans formed the Protestant Union 1609 – Catholic Princes formed the Catholic League

Conflict Mounts Churches in Germany could be either Lutheran or Catholic, but no Calvinist 2. After the Peace of Augsburg, the Catholic and Lutheran princes of Germany watched each other suspiciously

The Thirty Years’ War (1618 – 1648) 3. The Protestants in Bohemia did not trust Ferdinand II, who was a foreigner and a Catholic 4. When he closed some Protestant churches, Protestants revolted. Ferdinand sent an army into Bohemia to crush the revolt. Several German Protestant princes took this chance to challenge their Catholic emperor.

The Thirty Years’ War (1618 – 1648) Thirty Years War: conflict over religion and territory and for power among European ruling families Causes Lutheran and Catholic princes felt threatened by the spreading of Calvinism Protestants in Bohemia revolt against the closing of Protestant churches by Ferdinand II

The Thirty Years’ War (continued) First Phase Hapsburg Triumphs (1618 – 1630) - Hapsburg armies from Austria and Spain crushed the troops hired by the Protestant princes. - they succeeded in putting down the Czech uprising. - Ferdinand II’s huge army destroyed everything in its path.

Thirty Years’ War (continued) Second Phase Hapsburg Defeats (1631 – 1648) the tide of war shifted in 1630 the Protestant Gustavus Adolphus of Sweden drove the Hapsburg armies out of northern Germany Cardinal Richelieu and Cardinal Mazarin of France dominated the remaining years of the war.

Peace of Westphalia (1648) Peace of Westphalia ended the thirty years war Consequences it weakened the Hapsburg states of Spain and Austria it strengthened France by awarding it German territory it made German princes independent of the Holy Roman Emperor

States Form in Central Europe The major powers of Central Europe were: - the kingdom of Poland - the Holy Roman Empire - the Ottoman Empire

States Form in Central Europe Contrasts with Western Europe Economic Development of Western Europe Economic Development of Central Europe Serfs won freedom and moved to towns Serfs gained economic power due to the commercial revolution and capitalism Laws restricted the ability of serfs to gain freedom and move to towns Serfs produced large harvests, so the nobles could make great profits

Central European Empires Weaknesses Since the serfs were held down, it also blocked the development of strong kings. The result was that there was not a strong ruler who could form a unified state.

Central European Empires Weaknesses 13 In addition, the Holy Roman Empire was seriously weakened by the Thirty Years’ War. No longer able to command the obedience of German states, it had no real power

The Hapsburgs Become More Powerful Three Steps during the Thirty Years’ War, the Hapsburgs re-conquered Bohemia the Hapsburg ruler centralized the government and created a standing army the Hapsburgs retook Hungary from the Ottoman Empire

Maria Theresa 1717 - 1780 the oldest daughter of the Hapsburg ruler, Charles VI mother of Marie Antoinette, future wife of King Louis XVI as empress, she decreased the power of the nobility she limited the amount of labor that nobles could force upon the peasants

Maria Theresa Daughter of Charles VI Queen of Austria 1740-1780 Last name: Hapsburg 15. The heir to the Hapsburg – Austrian – throne was Maria Theresa

The Rise of Prussia’s Hohenzollerns Three Steps building their state from a number of small holdings, beginning with the German states of Brandenburg and Prussia. they created a large standing army the Junkers were given the exclusive right to be officers in the army

Frederick the Great (Frederick II) 1712 - 1786 Frederick William worried that his son, Frederick, was not military enough to rule (true) aggressive in foreign affairs encouraged religious toleration and legal reform at home

Frederick the Great (Frederick II) 1712 - 1786 18. Frederick the Great followed his father’s military policies when he came to power. According to the theory of government, Frederick believed that a ruler should be l like a father to his people

Frederick the “Grrrrrrrrrrr-eat” Quotes “A Crown is merely a hat that lets the rain in.” “Don’t forget your great guns, which are the most respectable arguments of the rights of kings.” “He who defends everything defends nothing.”

More Frederick the “Grrrrrrrrr-eat” Quotes “If my soldiers were to begin to think, not one of them would remain in the army.” “My people and I have come to an agreement which satisfied us both. They are to say what they please, and I am to do what I please.” “What is the good of experience if you do not reflect?”

Even More Frederick the “Grrrrrrrr-eat” Quotes “The greatest and noblest pleasure which we have in this world is to discover new truths, and the next is to shake off old prejudices.” “Diplomacy without arms is like music without instruments.”

Seven Years’ War 1756 - 1763 Maria Theresa made an alliance with the French (false) Austria, France, Russia, and others vs. Britain and Prussia Fought in Europe, India, and North America

Seven Years’ War (continued) The territorial situation in Europe remain unchanged France lost its colonies in North America Britain gained sole economic domination of India

Essential Question Describe the Thirty Years’ War and explain the growth of central European State. Answer the question in three complete sentences in your summary section.

Absolutism Objective Summarize the development of absolute and constitutional monarchies in Europe from 1500 to 1800