Austria and Prussia
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I. The Thirty Years’ War (1618- 1648)
A. What is the Holy Roman Empire?
1. It’s not holy, or Roman or an Empire.
2. Instead, it’s a collection of hundreds of small, German speaking states.
3. Each state is ruled by German princes (there are no kings).
4. The seven most powerful princes are called electors.
B. Ferdinand, Hapsburg king of Bohemia and later Holy Roman Emperor
1. 1618, tries to suppress Protestantism.
2. Spain, Poland and other Catholic countries help.
3. Protestant countries like the Netherlands moved to fight back.
4. Before long, political reasons erased the religious ones.
5. Mercenary armies destroyed villages without mercy.
II. The Peace of Westphalia 1648
A. The peace agreement that stopped the Thirty Years’ War.
B. Winners
1. France – gains land in Spain and Germany
C. Losers
1. The Hapsburgs – had to accept the independence of all the princes of the Holy Roman Empire.
III. Hapsburg Austria
A. The Hapsburgs, though beaten, still wanted to expand their power.
B. To their nation of Austria, they added Bohemia, Hungary and parts of Poland and Italy.
C. Diverse geography and cultures made uniting these lands difficult.
D. They never really centralized their power.
E. Maria Theresa (1717-1780)
1. The first female ruler of Hapsburg lands.
2. Skilled at winning the support of her subjects and reorganizing her government.
3. Forced nobles and clergy (priests) to pay taxes while lessening the taxes on the peasants.
4. Fought a war (unsuccessfully) with Prussia.
5. Had 16 children!
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I. Prussia
A. What is Prussia
B. It was a powerful state of Northern Germany. Do not confuse it with Russia. They are not related in ANY WAY!
C. Ruled by the Hohenzollerns, a Protestant family.
D. Frederick William I
1. Reduced the independence of his lords (called Junkers)
2. Created one of the best-trained armies in Europe.
3. Prussia is a military state. Proud of its army and military traditions.
E. Frederick William II
1. As a child, he loved poetry and the flute.
2. His father hated this, and wanted his son to be a soldier.
3. Frederick II even tried to flee the country with the help of his friend.
4. His father caught him and forced him to watch as his friend was decapitated.
5. When he was finally king, Frederick II launched an almost immediate war with Austria in 1740
F. The War of Austrian Succession
1. The Prussian army conquers the area of Silesia from Austria.
2. England and Russia both tried to help Austria. They all fail.
3. For his victories over other European powers, Frederick the II became known as Frederick the Great.