1. Key Terms – Hapsburgs and Hohenzollerns
Central Europe
Poland
Ottoman Empire
Holy Roman Empire
The Hapsburgs
Charles VI
Pragmatic Sanction
Prussia
The Hohenzollerns
Frederick I
Frederick William
Frederick the Great
Maria Theresa
Seven Years' War
Treaty of Paris

2. Central Europe at a Glance

3. Central Europe
Central Europe was composed of three weak empires and two massive ones.
All of these empires lagged behind the Western European Empires of France, Britain, Spain and Portugal.
These empires sought to build land empires rather than empires by sea.
Most of the smaller empires would absorb each other or grow stronger via alliance.

4. The Ottoman Empire
Had reached its greatest height under the reign of Suleiman the Magnificent
Held territories ranging from the Middle East to Hungary at its height.
Its last, best chance to govern over Europe was turned away in Vienna in the 17th Century

5. The Holy Roman Empire
Consisted of 300 smaller states that refused unification for a large period of time
Would attempt to be unified under Prussian rule initially but would be turned away
Territory was rich in resources but the lack of unity caused this empire to fall apart slowly after the Wars of Religion

6. Poland
Country that was considered weak due to its poor and inefficient government system
Country was run by diets (small legislatures) and their rulers were selected from outside of the country to prevent the nobility from gaining too much power.

7. The Hapsburgs Ruled Austria since the 1400's
Controlled many different ethnic and religious groups
Would be able to control all of the people within Austria because of the constant dynastic rule of the Hapsburgs

8. Charles VI Presided over Austria during the War of Spanish Succession
Was able to acquire new territories in Belgium which led to the division of Austria into three different territories:
Austria
Bohemia
Hungary

9. Charles VI and the Hapsburgs
With his health failing, Charles sought to ensure that the Hapsburg dynasty would continue its rule in Austria
Considering his only heir was a female, Maria Theresa, many countries refused her rule and threatened to secede from the empire
Charles VI would force these areas and countries to sign the Pragmatic Sanction
Legally gave Maria Theresa control over all Hapsburg landholdings and clearly stated her as queen of the Austrian kingdom

10. Prussia Built by the Hohenzollern dynasty
Greatest landholding was Brandenburg
Ruling prince of Prussia was one of seven electors who selected the Holy Roman Emperor
Prussia would be built on the backs of its strong rulers and would become future Germany

11. Frederick I ( )
Would be the first king of the Kingdom of Prussia
Was responsible for building up Prussia's infrastructure
Would have E. Prussia recognized as a kingdom
Would consolidate all other Prussian landholdings under the name Prussia

12. Frederick William I (1713-1740)
Known as the soldier-king
Believed that the military was the most important aspect of Prussia that needed to be built up
Would form alliances with other countries to prevent using his own troops
Managed to avoid being involved in any wars and left a surplus of money in the treasury upon his death.

13. Frederick II “the Great” (1740-1786, technically.)
Was considered an enlightened despot
Oversaw the largest growth of power in Prussia
Was responsible for acquiring Silesia from Austria and Maria Theresa
Oversaw the First Partition of Poland along with Maria Theresa and Catherine the Great

14. Maria Theresa, ( )
Held numerous titles after the death of her father Charles VI up to and including Holy Roman Empress, Archduchess of Austria, Queen of Bohemia, Croatia, Saxony and other countries
Her reign was repudiated by other countries including France which led to the War of Austrian Succession
Had sixteen children including Marie Antoinette

15. The Austrian Invasion
Upon acceding to the throne, Maria Theresa would be attacked by Frederick the Great
Frederick would be joined by other countries, including France, in his attempt to remove Maria Theresa from power and claim portions of Austria
Maria Theresa would ask Hungary for assistance and would manage to only lose Silesia to Prussia via the Treaty of Aix-La Chapelle

16. The Seven Years' War
The Seven Years' War would begin and involve practically all of the major powers in the world.
It would be known as the French and Indian War as well over in North America
The war would begin due to issues between Britain and France over colonial landholdings and Prussia and Austria over the Prussian invasion and attempts to acquire Silesia
The British would ally with Prussia, while the Austrians would ally with the French

17. Results of the Seven Years' War
The Treaty of Paris would end the fighting between France and Britain
Britain acquires New France and takes away portions of France's overseas empire in Asia
The Treaty of Hubertusburg ended the fighting between Austria and Prussia
Prussia retains Silesia