Summary of 30 Years War
A. Background
b. problems
c. responses
d. alliances
e. France’s Interest
f. What Kind of War
30 Years War
One of the 3 greatest developments along with decline of Spain and reconstruction of France in 1700’s. Spain was bankrupt, suffered from privateering raids, fallen Spanish Armada. These things were related- they led to the emergence of absolutism. Specific problems of frist 6 deaceds of 1700’s- time of great confusion, civil unrest, discord. Economic difficulties multiplied. Population growth seemed to level off or decline. International trade falls off, unemployment is widespread. Periodic visits of the Plague were brutal- often famine with that. This was also a period of crisis beteen monarchs and subjects- revolts across Europe, but generally not led by peasants, but the nobility- France, Netherlands, Spain, Portugal, England, Scotland, Poland, Sweden, Russia..
Response? A pretty literate age, printing press distrubuted. Some people were considered the nature of govt and its place. Not just Locke and Hobbes thinking about this- others talking about this too. Potential to improve. Alliances formed. The potential for chaos increased with these aliances. The Catholics and Protestants felt threatened by eachother. 1608- Protestant States of the union (primarily in the north- in Holy Roman Empire). They band together and sign a union document. It is fairly simple (see link on powerpoint). In response to fearing Duke Maximillian the first. (of Bulgaria?). Where could they find help? Go to France (even though its Catholic), England, Netherlands?… Others created the Catholic League under Bavarian control- looking for help. Go to Spain…(they would agree because they don’t want France to become too strong). Different branches of the Hapsburgs in Austria and Spain.. try to strengthen connections in central Europe. Bottom line- Holy Roman Empire dividing into two camps who are both seeking foreign intervention, which extended it. Rhineland- worried about. Worried about a strong Germany. Roman Catholic France aiding the protestents despite the great deal of persecution in the 1500’s in France- ironic. France becomes chief protector. 30 years war was complex, very international (most battles fought on soil of Holy Roman Empire). Trampled crops and slaughtered animals..
Political issues. Each prince had a certain independence within his state. Its not just about power politics or just about religion. 4 Phases of the war (on powerpoint)
1.bohemian (1618-1625)- Bohemians have a diet- legislature with elected monarchs. By late 1600s most Bohemians were Protestants. The fear was of a continual election of the Hapsburgs. Panicked when holy roman emperor. designates his cousin Ferdinand King of Bohemia and his heir- Roman Catholic. He swore to upheld their rights as protestants, but it seems he lied. May of 1618- some protestants broke into a room in an upper floor of Hradschin Castle- 3 roman catholic officials scared- sure enough the Protestants tossed them 50 feet out of the window- only one injured. The 3 landed in soft pile of manure. Precipitated the war.
The king emporer was not recognized by the Protestants, so they chose Frederick V (Calvinist elector of a group in Rhineland- Palintenent). Frederick brings aid from protestant union (though Bohemia wasn’t in the union)- Dutch sent money, prince of Translynvaina attacked Hapsburg from behind. The Catholics- Duke of Bavaria sent help under Johann Tilley… other help. Clashed 8 Nov. 1620- Battle of White Mountain- 8000 troops under Tilley- 33000 Protestent troops under Frederick V. Protestants lost far more. Catholics maybe more motivated. Frederick escapes to Holland, 27 leaders of Protestents executed next day in Prague. Bohemia recapterd by Catholics- Ferdinand re-installed. Prtoestant union dissolves in 1621. King Christian the IV of Denmark then gets involved. Primarily Lutheran country- maybe Christian wanted to save Lutheranism- he may have also wanted to seize some land from the bishops for an estate for his son. (see powerpoint). To counter Danes, Roman emperor raises another army because he does not like Tilley’s.
2.Danish (1625-1629)
3.Swedish (1630-1635)
4.Swedish French
