Central Europe in the Age of Absolutism

Ch 10 Sec 3

Habsburg Austria

• In 1740 Maria Theresa became the ruler of the Habsburgs lands.– The signing of the Pragmatic Sanction made this

possible for her to take the land.– She would rule over a large area of land that was very

diverse.• Belgians, bohemians, Croatians, Hungarians, Italians, Poles,

Romanians, Serbs, and Slovenians.• Large number of languages, nationalities and cultures• Made it very difficult to rule the area effectively.

Habsburg Empire

Rise of the Hohenzollerns

• Ruled a small northern German State called Brandenburg- Prussia.– They wanted to gain power and to gain more land.– The first great ruler was Fredrick William or the Great

Elector.• Unified the armies into one powerful army

– In 1713 Fredrick William I became king.• He devoted much of his time into making the Prussian army

the most powerful in Europe.• Prussian was very much a militarized state.• He also created an efficient tax system• He believed that all children should receive an education• Encouraged trade and industries.

Prussia

Conflict Between Prussia and Austria

• War of the Austrian Succession– Prussia claimed Silesia, but the Austrians had the

land.– War was from 1740-1748, On one side was Bavaria,

Spain, France and Prussia.– The other Austria, England, Netherlands, and Russia.

• Austria lost the war and Silesia.

– Soon after the war the countries switched allies.• England was with Prussia • France, Austria and Russia

The Seven Years War

• Lasted from 1756-1763.– Almost all of Europe was involved.

• Battled were fought in Europe, overseas colonies and North America(French Indian Wars).

• Prussia lost a battle to a combined Russian and Austrian Army.

– Russia eventually signed a treaty with Prussia.» Peter III, wanted to stop fighting.» England also was looking for peace.

• All involved signed the Treaty of Paris.– There were no eventual winners.

Years of Peace

• After a century of fighting. Prussia came out as the weakest country.– Tremendous loss of industry and man power.– Most countries were weary of war and were

eager to recover.– After spending the first 23 years of rule

fighting, Fredrick the Great, spent 23 more rebuilding Prussia.

• Prussia returned as a European power.