1. Rulers of Russia and Central Europe
Preview
Main Idea / Reading Focus
The Monarchy of Ivan IV
Peter the Great
Faces of History: Peter the Great
Catherine the Great
Map: The Expansion of Russia

2. Rulers of Russia and Central Europe
Preview, continued
Monarchy and Conflict in Central Europe
Map: Central Europe
Visual Study Guide / Quick Facts
Video: The Impact of Spain’s Golden Century

3. Austria & Prussia Main Idea Reading Focus
The czars of Russia struggled with the westernization of their empire, while powerful families battled for control of Central Europe.
Reading Focus
How did Ivan IV strengthen the Russian monarchy?
What reforms did Peter the Great make in Russia?
How did the rule of Catherine the Great affect Russia?
What states formed in Central Europe in the 1600s and 1700s?

4. Section 4: The Rise of Austria and Prussia
The Age of Absolutism
Section 4: The Rise of Austria and Prussia
Witness History Audio: War Rages in Germany
The Thirty Years’ War Ravages Europe
The Thirty Years’ War was a series of wars that began with an act of violence by Protestants who were against Catholic rule in Bohemia. This sparked a revolt and, with the establishment of allies on both sides, a widespread European war. It wasn’t always Catholics against Protestants, as some rulers shifted sides to suit their ambitions. After many deaths, the Peace of Westphalia brought an end to the fighting, with France emerging as a winner and the Holy Roman Empire separating into nearly independent states.
Notes: Listen to the Witness History audio. Then read aloud the main idea for each subheading in this section and show the related visuals.
After listening to the Witness History audio, ask students to describe living under such conditions for 30 years. Then have them name some of the factors that would make it difficult for a society to recover from this level of devastation.
When showing Color Transparency 98, as students why the empire was difficult to rule and vulnerable to war. Point out that it really looked like a patchwork quilt.
Color Transparency 98: The Holy Roman Empire
Geography Interactive: Europe After the Thirty Years’ War (1648)
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5. Monarchy and Conflict in Central Europe
1500s, 1600s
Central European rulers never became absolute monarchs
Holy Roman Empire headed by single emperor, but did not have total authority
Imperial Power
Holy Roman Empire included dozens of small states
Each had own ruler who fought vigorously against increased imperial power
Hapsburg Family
Since 1450s, all Holy Roman Emperors came from single family—the Hapsburgs
1600s, Thirty Years’ War began
Continent-Wide Affair
Attempt by Hapsburg emperor to exert authority launched war
Alliances between Hapsburgs, other European monarchs, made war continent-wide affair

7. The Thirty Years War Catholics against Protestants Religious Revolt
War began as religious dispute
1618, official representing Holy Roman Emperor Ferdinand II, a Catholic, ordered two Protestant churches in Prague be shut down
Religious Revolt
Local Protestants furious, threw emperor’s representatives out palace windows onto rubbish heap
Emperor’s attempt to control religion sparked revolt throughout region
Rebellion Grew
Nobles from 2 German states rebelled against emperor; nobles from other states soon joined them
Rulers of other countries became involved as well

8. The Age of Absolutism: Section 4
Color Transparency 98: The Holy Roman Empire
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9. Section 4: The Rise of Austria and Prussia
The Age of Absolutism
Section 4: The Rise of Austria and Prussia
Hapsburg Austria Changes Its Focus
The Hapsburgs tried to control the diverse peoples in the empire and settled Austrians in Bohemia and Hungary. They never succeeded in establishing a centralized government, however. Maria Theresa ruled after Charles VI, but she was unable to keep Frederick II of Prussia from seizing Silesia.
Note Taking Transparency 118
Hohenzollern Prussia
Notes: Listen to the Witness History audio. Then read aloud the main idea for each subheading in this section and show the related visuals.
After listening to the Witness History audio, ask students to describe living under such conditions for 30 years. Then have them name some of the factors that would make it difficult for a society to recover from this level of devastation.
When showing Color Transparency 98, as students why the empire was difficult to rule and vulnerable to war. Point out that it really looked like a patchwork quilt.
The Hohenzollern family ruled the new Protestant state of Prussia. Frederick William I reduced the power of the nobles by having them work for him. His army was one of the best trained in Europe.
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10. Choosing Sides Treaty and Toleration
Monarchs of Spain, also members of Hapsburg family, joined war on Ferdinand’s side
King of France, Spain’s rival, joined Protestant opposition
Kings of Denmark, Sweden also joined on Protestant side
Treaty and Toleration
War dragged on until 1648, had devastating effects on Germany
Two sides agreed to Treaty of Westphalia to end war
Treaty extended religious toleration to both Catholics, Protestants
Also reduced even more the power of the Holy Roman Emperor
Strengthened rulers of states within it

12. Austria and Prussia
Among the rulers who gained the most from the Treaty of Westphalia were the leaders of Austria and Prussia. Austria was governed by the Hapsburg family, while Prussia’s rulers came from a rival family, the Hohenzollerns.
1740, Holy Roman Emperor Charles VI died without male heir
Before he died, approved document called Pragmatic Sanction, stating empire could be passed to female heir
Pragmatic Sanction
Charles VI’s daughter Maria Theresa could now take throne
Hohenzollerns had different plan
Frederick II of Prussia, Frederick the Great, seized Silesia
Offered Maria Theresa an alliance
Reforms of Ivan IV
Frederick promised Maria Theresa to help her husband become the Holy Roman Emperor.

15. Monarchy and Conflict in Central Europe
Maria Theresa turned Frederick’s offer down, War of Austrian Succession broke out, 1740
Spain, France, two German states entered war on Prussia’s side
Each hoped to gain territory
1748, with so much against her, Maria Theresa asked for peace
Prussia kept Silesia, putting Prussia in position of real power

19. Section 4: The Rise of Austria and Prussia
The Age of Absolutism
Section 4: The Rise of Austria and Prussia
The Rivalry of Great Powers
Among the great rivalries in the mid 1700s were those between Prussia and Austria over control of the German states and between Britain and France over the extent of their overseas empires.
QuickTake Section Quiz
Notes: Listen to the Witness History audio. Then read aloud the main idea for each subheading in this section and show the related visuals.
After listening to the Witness History audio, ask students to describe living under such conditions for 30 years. Then have them name some of the factors that would make it difficult for a society to recover from this level of devastation.
When showing Color Transparency 98, as students why the empire was difficult to rule and vulnerable to war. Point out that it really looked like a patchwork quilt.
Progress Monitoring Transparency
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20. Continued Rivalry Another War Prussia Rebounds
Prussia’s victory only intensified rivalry between Austria and Hungary
Not long until war broke out again
1756, Seven Years’ War began
On one side Prussia, Great Britain; on the other Austria, France, Russia
Another War
During first part of war, Prussia on verge of defeat; at one point Austrian, Russian forces occupied capital of Berlin
Russia pulled out, allowing Prussia to regain strength, eventually becoming strongest military power in Europe
1763, war ended, but rivalry far from over; struggle for control of Central Europe continued
Prussia Rebounds

23. What were three wars that affected Central Europe?
Recall
What were three wars that affected Central Europe?
Answer(s): Thirty Years’ War, War of the Austrian Succession, Seven Years’ War

25. The Age of Absolutism: Section 4
Note Taking Transparency 118
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26. The Age of Absolutism: Section 4
Progress Monitoring Transparency
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