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The Thirty Years War. 1618-1648. Precipitated by Religious divisions and politics Last “War of Religion” Cripples the HRE – no united Germany Creates better defined system of sovereign states At the end of the war, France, Spain, and England gain prestige.
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The Thirty Years War 1618-1648
Precipitated by Religious divisions and politics • Last “War of Religion” • Cripples the HRE – no united Germany • Creates better defined system of sovereign states • At the end of the war, France, Spain, and England gain prestige. • Spanish and HRE influence diminishes Big Picture
HRE is a loose confederation of over 1000 states and cities • Federal Structure • Emperor is head of state • Chancery for foreign policy • Imperial Diet – Parliament • Peace of Augsburg Background
Order established at Peace of Augsburg is challenged by • Introduction of Calvinism • Kings breaking Provisions • Emperors/princes try to roll back Protestant Rights • Rudolf II (r. 1576-1612) • Ferdinand II Archduke of Austria • Transylvania and Hungary revolt • Rudolf challenged by brother Matthias (r. 1612-1619) • Protestant League (1608) and Catholic League (1609) are formed in response to religious tension Origins
Ferdinand, King of Bohemia, imposes limits on Protestants • Defenestration of Prague, 1618 • Bohemian crown offered to Calvinist Frederick of Palatinate • Ferdinand II becomes emperor in 1619 • Secures help from Spanish and Catholic League • Wins battle of White Mountain 1620, gaining control of Bohemia, Central and East HRE. Start of the War/Bohemian Phase(1618-1625)
Christian IV of Denmark invades looking to help Protestants and to gain territory • Defeated by Albrecht Wallenstein, Bohemian noble and best Catholic general • Treat of Lubeck, 1629 • Ferdinand becomes even more repressive • Protestants expelled/lands confiscated • Edict of Restitution, 1629 Danish Phase (1625-1630)
Catholic successes alarm Protestant countries • GustavusAdolphus, King of Sweden • Motivated by: • Faith • Territorial gain • Desire to kick butt • Gains territories back 1629-1632 • Wallenstein recalled • Battle of Lutzen, 1632 • Adolphus dies, Catholics regain territories Swedish Phase (1629-1635)
French had been aiding Protestants throughout war • Finally enter war directly in 1635 by declaring war on Spain and sending troops to Germany • Cardinal Richelieu’s justification • Raison d’etat French Phase (1635-1648)
Protestants make a comeback because of the French • Tired of war, they try to make peace • Spain bankrupt/Civil War • Sweden losing troops/unhappy population • England in Civil War (1642) • German princes, Catholics and Protestants devastated by years of war End of War
Redraws map of Europe • Dutch United Provinces recognized • Switzerland recognized • Sweden gains German territories • France gains Alsace • Treaty reinforces autonomy of German states • Decide own religion and foreign policy • Holy Roman Emperor only has control over Austria • No country can declare war based on Catholicism or Protestantism • Reinforced the idea of sovereign territorial states with fixed borders Treat of Westphalia, 1648