German Absolutism German Absolutism

Central Monarchs ClashCentral Monarchs Clash

The Thirty Years’ War (1618-1648)The Thirty Years’ War (1618-1648)• Fought between Protestants (Hapsburgs) and Fought between Protestants (Hapsburgs) and

Catholics in the Holy Roman EmpireCatholics in the Holy Roman Empire• Naval warfare expanded its destructionNaval warfare expanded its destruction• Helped to shape colonial formation of future Helped to shape colonial formation of future

nationsnations• First 12 years, Catholics are successfulFirst 12 years, Catholics are successful• Next 18 years, Protestants gain the Next 18 years, Protestants gain the

advantage….with the help of French Catholics!advantage….with the help of French Catholics!

Hapsburg Crest – Hapsburg Crest – Dual Headed EagleDual Headed Eagle

Spain Austria

The Peace of WestphaliaThe Peace of Westphalia

Ends the Thirty Years’ WarEnds the Thirty Years’ War• Hapsburgs of Spain and Austria weakenedHapsburgs of Spain and Austria weakened• France was strengthened (Gained German France was strengthened (Gained German

territory)territory)• Religious wars in Europe endedReligious wars in Europe ended• German princes were independent of HREGerman princes were independent of HRE• Peace negotiation to end wars startedPeace negotiation to end wars started

Beginning of Modern StatesBeginning of Modern States• Ended the idea of a Catholic empireEnded the idea of a Catholic empire

States Form in Central EuropeStates Form in Central Europe Economic Contrasts with the WestEconomic Contrasts with the West

• Serfdom still strong in eastern EuropeSerfdom still strong in eastern Europe• Blocked the development of strong Blocked the development of strong

KingsKings Weak EmpiresWeak Empires

• Ottoman Empire & Holy Roman EmpireOttoman Empire & Holy Roman Empire Will leave a power vacuum in Central EuropeWill leave a power vacuum in Central Europe

The rise of Austria and PrussiaThe rise of Austria and Prussia• Due to the end of the Holy Roman Due to the end of the Holy Roman

EmpireEmpire

Austria GrowsAustria Grows

Austria Grows StrongerAustria Grows Stronger• Gains Hungary and Gains Hungary and

BohemiaBohemia• Wiped out ProtestantismWiped out Protestantism

Maria Theresa Inherits Maria Theresa Inherits the Thronethe Throne• Fought constantly with Fought constantly with

Prussia & surrounding Prussia & surrounding areasareas

• Limited the labor that Limited the labor that nobles could force nobles could force peasants to dopeasants to do

Prussia Challenges AustriaPrussia Challenges Austria

The Rise of Prussia (Hohenzollerns)The Rise of Prussia (Hohenzollerns)• Became a rigidly controlled, highly Became a rigidly controlled, highly

militarized societymilitarized society Controlled by the King and the Junker class Controlled by the King and the Junker class

(landowning nobles)(landowning nobles) Frederick the GreatFrederick the Great

• Very practical leader – ruler as fatherVery practical leader – ruler as father• Atheist- established religious tolerationAtheist- established religious toleration• Very aggressive in foreign affairsVery aggressive in foreign affairs

Frederick the GreatFrederick the Great

Prussia Challenges Austria (cont)Prussia Challenges Austria (cont) War of Austrian SuccessionWar of Austrian Succession

• War between Prussia and Austria (1740)War between Prussia and Austria (1740)• Fought for control of Silesia (iron, Fought for control of Silesia (iron,

textiles)textiles)• France helped Prussia(Frederick the France helped Prussia(Frederick the

Great) Great) • England and Austria(Maria Theresa)England and Austria(Maria Theresa)• Prussia wins in 1748(Treaty of Aix-la-Prussia wins in 1748(Treaty of Aix-la-

Chapelle), gains SilesiaChapelle), gains Silesia Becomes a major European powerBecomes a major European power

The Seven Years’ WarThe Seven Years’ War

Austria, France, Russia vs. Prussia and Austria, France, Russia vs. Prussia and BritainBritain

1756 – Frederick attacked and Austrian 1756 – Frederick attacked and Austrian ally, beginning the war “1ally, beginning the war “1stst World War” World War”

War did not change European territoryWar did not change European territory• France lost all colonies in North France lost all colonies in North

America(remember the War of 1812) and America(remember the War of 1812) and India to BritainIndia to Britain