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The Austrian Habsburgs 1648-1740. Ch. 16 State Building and the European State System, 1648-1789. Absolutism in Austria. Not as successful as in France –WHY? Habsburgs don’t have the same amount of control as Louis XIV Holy Roman Empire more independent at Thirty Years’ War
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The Austrian Habsburgs 1648-1740 Ch. 16 State Building and the European State System, 1648-1789
Absolutism in Austria • Not as successful as in France –WHY? • Habsburgs don’t have the same amount of control as Louis XIV • Holy Roman Empire more independent at Thirty Years’ War • Over 10 different nationalities, languages, traditions represented within the Habsburg lands • Multiple religions (Christian and non-Christian) represented • Double external threat: Louis XIV’s France (west) and the Ottoman Empire (Southeast)
Leopold I, 1657-1705 • Devout Catholic – to be priest BUT • Holy Roman Emperor and Emperor of Austria at 17 • Fathered 16 children with 3 wives • Built Schőnbrunn outside of Vienna
Defender of Vienna • 1683 Turkish forces tried to take over Vienna • Louis XIV refused to come to Austria’s aid • Rest of Europe outraged – Why wouldn’t he help another Christian nation? • After 2 months under siege Austrian coalition forces defeat the Turks – Hungary again becomes part of Austrian domain • By 1687 Leopold convinces the Hungarian Diet to make crown of Hungary a hereditary right of the Austrian Habsburgs • Hungarians also forfeit their traditional right to rebel against an unjust ruler!
Austrian Territory Growing BUT… • Austrian Emperor does not have absolute control • Religious issues • Catholics; Eastern Orthodox, Protestant, Jewish, and even Muslim • Ethnic issues • Social issues • i.e. in Hungary, Austrian Emperor must work together with Hungarian magnates • Magnates control the land and have dominion over the serfs
Joseph I and Charles VI • Joseph I , 1705-1711 • Dies while fighting in the War of Spanish Succession • Charles VI, 1711-1740 • He could be the next Charles V (combine Spanish and Austrian Habsburg domains under one individual) BUT • Other European countries want that as much as they want a Bourbon on the throne in Spain!
Charles VI and his Daughter • Charles VI concentrates on securing the Austrian throne for his daughter Maria Theresa • PROBLEM #1= No woman has inherited the Austrian throne • SOLUTION #1 = Pragmatic Sanction – Charles convinces other European rulers and magnates to accept her rule • Does this solution hold? • PROBLEM #2 = Holy Roman Emperor CANNOT be a woman • SOLUTION #2 = Maria Theresa’s husband will be HREmperor and “represent” the Habsburgs