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Central Europe In the Age of Absolutism

Section 3. Central Europe In the Age of Absolutism. Habsburg Austria. Lost a lot of territory in Thirty Years’ War Over next 100 years, acquired new lands From Turks and Treaty of Utrecht Stretched into the Balkans, Hungary, and Italian Peninsula. Maria Theresa:

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Central Europe In the Age of Absolutism

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  1. Section 3 Central Europe In the Age of Absolutism

  2. Habsburg Austria • Lost a lot of territory in Thirty Years’ War • Over next 100 years, acquired new lands • From Turks and Treaty of Utrecht • Stretched into the Balkans, Hungary, and Italian Peninsula.

  3. Maria Theresa: • Inherited Austria and other Hapsburg lands. • Male was suppose to inherit land, not Female. • Pragmatic Sanction: • Allowed Maria Theresa to inherit all the Hapsburg lands. • Laws against her becoming empress • When husband became Emperor, she became Empress.

  4. Theresa’s/Hapsburg Empire • Patchwork of regions and peoples • Belgians, Bohemians, Croatians, Germans, Hungarians, Italians, Poles, Romanians, Serbs, and Slovenes. • Led to many conflicts of language, religion, and nationality. • German states became resentful to Hapsburg power. • Character and size of Hapsburg Empire • Geographic • Cultural • Historic diversity • Made difficult to rule effectively.

  5. Rise of the Hohenzollerns • ruled Brandenburg-Prussia (Austria’s chief rival) • Goal: increase power and gain more land • Branch of family settled in Brandenburg, N. Germany • Ruler of Brandenburg became elector of HRE • Ruled several territories including Prussia (Baltic Sea) • Rulers: • Frederick William (Great Elector) • Ruled at end of Thirty Years’ War. • Unified armies into one strong force. • Improved tax system, agriculture, Industry, and transportation. • Succeeded Great Elector, and all lands Unified in practice under rule of Prussia. • Consolidated power for Honhenzollern family.

  6. Frederick William I • Son of Frederick William • Ended lavished spending • Doubled size of army and made efficient fighting force • Discipline within army, punishments harsh, soldiers obeyed orders instantly. • King: overhauled govt. and brought state as whole under control. • Prussian army among most powerful army in Europe. • Expanded interests and protected its borders. • Tax collecting and government spending fully planned • Encouraged trade and new industries • Children required to go to school

  7. Frederick the Great (Frederick II) • Son of Frederick William I • Worried that he was not interested in government or military affairs. • Wrote poetry, played the flute, read philosophy • King used harsh methods, including prison to change Fred II • Frederick II and companion tried to escape Prussia • When caught, king made Frederick watch companions execution. • Frederick II • Even stronger ruler than father • Became ruler of Prussia same year as Maria Theresa became ruler of Austria. • Highly intelligent and worked to expand Territory and prestige of Prussia.

  8. Conflict Between Prussia and Austria • Frederick II took Prussian Army to Silesia (Maria Theresa’s powerful territory) • Prussians seized Silesia easily. • Started the War of Austrian Succession • One side: Prussia, Bavaria, Spain, and France • Other side: Austria, Great Britain, Netherlands, Russia • Outcome: Austria lost, and Silesia went to Prussia.

  9. Diplomatic Revolution • “reversal of alliances” • Austria and Great Britain were alliances/Great Britain now allied with Prussia • To keep from Prussia from becoming too powerful, France sided with Austria and Russia.

  10. Rivalries led to Seven Years’ War • Fighting actually began in North America (French and Indian War) • Battles took place on continent and in European colonies overseas. • Prussia supported by Great Britain • Austria supported by France/Russia • Battles: Prussia defeated French forces. • Prevented Austria from reclaiming Silesia. • Prussians were defeated later badly by Austrian/Russia force. • Great Britain won more battles in Canada/India

  11. Turning Point: Empress of Russia, Elizabeth died • Czar Peter III takes over. Great admiration for Frederick II. No desire to continue supporting Prussia’s enemies. • Broke alliance with Austria/France and made separate peace with Prussia. • King George III: made clear his intention to withdraw. • Seven Years War ended with no clear winner • Signed treaty in 1763 • Confirmed Prussia’s hold on Silesia • Treaty of Paris in same year: • Gave most of North American territories to Great Britain.

  12. Years of Peace • Destruction and loss of life in Europe, North America, and India. • Prussia and Russia drained treasuries • Powers became reluctant to fight again • Went from concentrating on war to recovery • Monarchs continued ways to expand national boundaries, find new sources of wealth, and extend their powers. • Frederick the Great: expanded public education, civil service system, and had tolerance for religious minorities. • Prussia recovered economic prosperity. • Prussia also gained new territory within these years.

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