The Thirty Years

War 1618-1648

Warm Up: Copy down these terms and leave space next to each to fill in

notes.

Key names, terms, and events:Defenestration of Prague

Ferdinand IIFrederick VChristian IVWallenstein

Edict of Restitution Cardinal Richelieu Gustavus AdolphusPeace of Westphalia

Results/Effects of the War on Europe

The Thirty Years

War 1618-1648

The Thirty Years War is complex. But the main conflict was between the different states who had religious

differences.

Here’s the basics before we get started…

It was a war over Catholic-Protestant Issues

And it was a war between the Hapsburg empire and the

various German states

Various countries from outside the region interfered or actively fought in the war.

Millions are dead by the time it ends. Most of the fighting will be done in Germany.

France supported the Protestant states in order to keep Germany weak, disunited, and weaken the

Habsburg Empire

Sweden and Denmark fought to support the Protestant cause

Mercenaries from all over Europe joined the different

stages of the war.

The result was wide spread devastation and destruction—the most destructive war up to this

point in history.

So let’s get started…

The war begins with the Defenestration of Prague

(1618)

Defenester: To throw out window

• First Defenestration of Prague occurred when supporters of martyred Jan Huss threw out members of the council onto barbed pikes below. Several were killed. (1417)

The two Catholic emissaries were thrown out the window, after a heated argument with Bohemian

Protestant leaders

Phase 1 of the warnow begins:

The Bohemia Phase(1618-1625)

The newest

Holy Roman

Emperor, Ferdinan

d II, moves

into Bohemia to restore order and authority.

He is a devout

Catholic.

Bohemia looks for help from the Protestant

Elector Frederick V

to defend their cause.

Frederick will be up against the emperor, Ferdinand.

Frederick leaves his home in the Palatine (Rhineland) to help defend Bohemia!

Side note: Frederick was married to Elizabeth Stuart, daughter of James I

of England.

Catholic Bavaria is in relation to Bohemia

Frederick will flee after his defeat by the forces of Catholic Bavaria at White

Mountain.

After victory at Bohemia, Ferdinand re-enforces his empire

with Spanish troops. The Spaniards flood into the Catholic

German States.

Ferdinand, Holy Roman Empire, and the

Habsburgs

win first stage of

war

Group Questions

1. What incident caused the war?

2. Who won the first stage of the war?– The Catholics or the Protestants?

Phase 2: The Danish Phase (1625-1629)

• Ferdinand is elected as Holy Roman Emperor again.

• He confiscates the lands of the Bohemian nobles who had joined Frederick’s cause

• Jesuits stream into Bohemia to re-convert the Protestants

The Protestant Cause will now be taken up by the King of Denmark,

Christian IV, in 1625.

• He enters the fight with a little aid from the Protestant leaders of England and Holland

Ferdinand appoints a

new army to counteract the Danish threat.

He appoints Albert of

Wallenstein known as

“Wallenstein.”

Wallenstein, a former Protestant, recruits and develops a

professional army—answerable to him, only. He quickly defeats the

Danish in 1629.

After the Danes are defeated, an Edict of Restitution (1629) is declared. This

means that all church territories, that were allowed to be Protestant under the Peace of Augsburg (1555) are now

Catholic again.

Group Questions

3. Why is the Edict of Restitution such an important declaration? What might happen as a result of it?

4. Who was the leader of Denmark?

-Christian IV or Wallenstein?

5. Who was the leader of the Catholic army appointed by Ferdinand

-Christian IV or Wallenstein?

Phase 3: The Swedish Phase (1630-1635)

• After the Danish Defeat, the Catholics swarm over protestant Germany.

• The Augsburg peace is ignored

• It seems as if the Reformation will be undone.

Enter Gustavus Adolphus. . .• Gustavus

Adolphus was king of Sweden

• He was busy fighting Poland

• Cardinal Richelieu, the Bishop of France, lures Adolphus into taking up the Protestant cause.

Gustavus is busyFighting the Poles, butRichelieu persuades himTo take up the Protestant Cause. He does.Richelieu

sends money to Sweden

Hence, Catholic Bishop Richelieu of Catholic France aids Protestants against the Catholic Holy Roman Empire

Richelieu, you are the ultimate backstabber…

Why thank you, Mr. Lawson, but you see, I can get others to fight my wars for me, while I continue to strengthen France.

Gustavus Adolphus leaves his fighting in Poland and now takes the

leadership against the Catholics

Who was Gustavus Adolphus?

• He was a brilliant leader

• He was courageous

• He organized the most modern army of its time

Under his leadership, Sweden wins victories.

Sadly, Adolphus is killed at the battle of Lutzen in 1632.

Gustavus

Adolphus

remains a great

historical figure and a

Swedish National

Hero.

After the Gustavus’ death, this stage of the war weakens

• Wallenstein himself refuses to fight the Swedes because he is furious about the Spanish troops in Germany.

• He actually enters into secret talks with the Protestants.

• Wallenstein is a loose cannon, and his men are becoming disloyal and will attack anyone…

Including him… Wallenstein is assassinated by his own men.

Group Questions

6. What is one example of how this war is becoming less about religion and more about political motives?

7. Who was Gustavus Adolphus?

Phase 3 (continued): The Swedish & French Phase (1635-

1648)• This time, Richelieu comes out clearly on the side of the Protestants and supports the Swedes.

• France officially joins the Protestant cause.

When France joins, the Spanish retaliate! They sweep down

from the Spanish Netherlands and attack France!

When the Spanish attack, France moves toward Spain!

French troops move into Catalonia spreading

devastation.

Spanish Troops attack from France from the Spanish Netherlands

France retaliates by attacking Catalonia, Spain

Tides turn…

• The powers were too stacked up against the Holy Roman Empire and Austrian Habsburgs– Richelieu and France work against the

Catholic Church– Adolphus’s army beats Wallenstein’s

army– French forces handily beat the Spanish

Germans view all this interference from Spain, Sweden, France, and

think: “Get Out!”

The Peace of Westphalia

• This becomes a huge peace conference

• The church (pope) is not involved, nor does the pope sign the treaties

• Calvinism is added to the mix: now there is Lutheranism, Catholicism, and Calvinism

Results of The Peace of Westphalia…

The Holy Roman Empire’s power dissolves

New state system set up in Europe

States of Germany now have stronger individual rights:

Germany remains weak and divided.

Between 3-7 million died in the Thirty Years War

Germany was physically devastated by the war

Germany’s

separate states will

hinder trade and progress for many years. It will not

fully unite until 1870.

England, Holland, and France will take the lead in European

trade, culture and politics

Effects of The 30 Years War:• It started as a religious war, but quickly

turns into a political battle• Ends period of religious conflict

– Religious lines are drawn– Catholics and Protestants mostly at peace after

this• France comes out on top

– Stronger, more powerful than ever before• The Holy Roman Empire’s political power in

central Europe dissolves• The Habsburgs are doomed

– Decline begins for once super-powerful family• New state system emerges

– Marks the beginning of “modern Europe”

Group Questions

#8-10: List 3 results/effects of the Thirty Years War on Europe.

8. ???

9. ???

10. ???