Transcript chapter 5 - section 3

Central European
Monarchs Clash
Chapter 5
Section 3
Main Ideas


After a period of turmoil, absolute
monarchs ruled Austria and the Germanic
state of Prussia.
Prussia built a strong military tradition in
Germany that contributed in part to
world wars in the 20th century.
Introduction




The Peace of Augsburg (1555)
had temporarily settled their
religious differences.
They had agreed that the faith of
each prince would determine the
faith of their subjects.
Churches in Germany could be
Lutheran or Catholic, but not
Calvinist.
Peace was short-lived and was
replaced by a long war.
The Thirty Years’ War
1618-1648




Lutheran and Catholic princes tried to
gain followers.
Both groups felt threatened by Calvinism
because it was spreading through
Germany and gaining many followers.
Tension continued and the Lutherans
formed the Protestant Union.
 The Catholic princes then formed the
Catholic League.
With two groups ready to fight, it wouldn’t
take much to set off a war.
Bohemian Protestants Revolt


1618 – War began.
Ferdinand II - head of the
Hapsburg family.


Ruled Czech republic of
Bohemia.
Protestants in Bohemia did not
trust Ferdinand.


He was a Catholic & a
foreigner.
Closed some Protestant
churches.


Revolt
Sends army to crush revolt.
Beginning of Thirty Years’ War


German Protestant princes
took this chance to challenge
their Catholic emperor.
This began the Thirty Years’
War.


Conflict over religion and
territory and for power among
European ruling families.
Two phases: Hapsburg
triumphs & Hapsburg defeats.
Hapsburg Triumphs



During the first twelve years, Hapsburg
armies crushed Protestant armies.
Ferdinand paid his army of 125,000 men
by allowing them to rob German villages.
This army destroyed everything in its
path.
Hapsburg Defeats




Swedish army drove the Hapsburg armies out
of Germany.
Cardinal Richelieu and Cardinal Mazarin
feared the Hapsburgs more than the
Protestants.
They wanted the French king to stay the
most powerful.
Finished off the Hapsburg armies.
Ending the War




War greatly damaged
Germany.
It’s population
dropped by 4 million.
Germany’s economy
was ruined.
Peace of Westphalia
ended the war.
Peace of Westphalia






This treaty had many
consequences:
Weakened Spain & Austria
(Hapsburg states)
Strengthened France by
awarding it German territory.
German princes became
independent of Holy Roman
emperor.
Ended religious wars in Europe.
New method of peace
negotiation.
Beginning of Modern States



The treaty banned the
idea that the Catholic
empire would rule most
of Europe.
Recognized Europe as a
group of equal,
independent states.
Basically, the Catholic
Church loses control.
States Form in Central Europe


Strong states formed
more slowly in central
Europe than western
Europe.
Major central powers:




Poland
Holy Roman Empire
Ottoman Empire
None were very strong
until the mid-1600s.
Western Europe v.
Eastern Europe
Economic Contrasts with the West


Economy was very different from
western Europe.
In the West – serfs slowly won
freedom & moved to towns.


Became middle-class & gained
economic power.
Central Europe passed laws
restricting the ability of serfs to
gain freedom & move to cities.


Wanted serfs to produce large
harvests.
Sell the surplus to western Europe.
Several Weak Empires



Central Europe also blocked
the development of strong
kings.
Ottoman Empire had already
expanded as far as possible.
 Began to decline.
Holy Roman Empire was
seriously weakened by the
Thirty Years’ War.
 No longer had any real
power.
Austria Grows Stronger




Hapsburgs tried to
become absolute
monarchs.
1. Conquered
Bohemia.
2. Centralized the
government &
created an army.
3. Took Hungary
back from the
Ottoman Empire.
Maria Theresa Inherits
the Austrian Throne



With Austria increasing their
territory, they wanted to make
sure that they kept it.
Charles VI had other European
leaders sign an agreement
recognizing his daughter,
Maria Theresa as the heir to
all Hapsburg territories.
She still faced years of war.

Main enemy Prussia.
Maria Theresa



Looked out for
working class.
Decreased power of
the nobility.
Mother of Marie
Antoinette.
Prussia Challenges Austria



Prussia rose to power in
the late 1600s, like Austria.
Prussia’s ruling family =
Hohenzollerns.
Prussia had ambitions that
upset Europe’s balance of
power.
The Rise of Prussia


Controlled small German
states of Brandenburg and
Prussia.
Frederick William controlled
Brandenburg.



Decided that a strong army
was needed to ensure safety.
Moved toward absolute
monarchy.
Created strongest army in
Europe.
Frederick the Great

Frederick William worried that his son,
Frederick, was not military enough to rule.



Loved music, philosophy & poetry.
Tried to run away with a friend when he was
young.
Punishment? Watched his friend get
beheaded.
Frederick the Great (cont.)




Followed in his
father’s military
policies.
Softened some of his
father’s laws.
Encouraged religious
toleration & legal
reform.
Believed a ruler
should be a father to
his people.
War of Austrian Succession






Maria Theresa succeeded her father.
Frederick wanted Austrian land that bordered
Prussia.
He underestimated Maria’s strength.
He sent his army in 1740 & started a war.
Maria stopped Prussia.
But pursuant to a treaty, Prussia received the
land.
The Seven Years’ War





Maria Theresa made an alliance with France.
Frederick became scared and signed a treaty
with Great Britain.
Austria, France, Russia, etc. v. Britain & Prussia.
Prussia & Austria had switched allies.
Russia played a role in European affairs for the
first time.
Seven Years’ War (cont.)






Frederick attacked Saxony,
Austria’s ally.
All European powers were
involved in war.
Fought in Europe, India &
North America.
Did not change any territory in
Europe.
Britain got France’s colonies.
Prussia emerges as a
European power.