Central European Monarchs Clash

The Thirty Years’ War

• A conflict over religion, over territory, & for power among European ruling families

• Began when Ferdinand II (the Holy Roman Emperor) closed some Protestant churches & the protestants revolted

• The war causes great destruction.• The Peace of Westphalia ends the war and

begins the modern state system.

Central Europe Differs from the West

• The formation of states in central Europe occurs more slowly than in western Europe.

• Central European nobles hold down serfs and block the development of strong kings.

• The Holy Roman Empire loses strength after the Thirty Years’ War, but Austria remains a powerful force in central Europe thanks to the Hapsburgs.

Prussia and Austria

• Under Hohenzollern rule, Prussia challenges Austrian power in central Europe.

• Prussian rulers Frederick William and Frederick the Great forge a military state that limits the power of the nobles.

• Austria, France, & Russia form an alliance against Prussia & Britain and fight the Seven Years’ War; Britain is the main winner.

Group Activity

• Imagine you are reporters covering the Thirty Years’ War for a newsmagazine.

• Within a group of 5, each student must research and write an article on one of these topics: origins and beginning of the war countries and alliances military tactics and battles social and economic effects political effects.

• Combine your articles and edit for style and clarity.