Thirty Years’ War 1618-1648
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Thirty Years’ War1618-1648
“The Religious War to End All Religious Wars”
Causes of the Thirty Years’ War
Calvinism spread into HREIncreasing mistrust between
Catholics and ProtestantsPeace of Augsburg failedCatastrophic war resulted – HRE
and several other European nations – most important war of the 17th century
First Phase - Bohemian Phase
Habsburgs wanted to crush Bohemian Protestantism
Two Catholic HRE officials are thrown from palace window - “defenestration of Prague”
HRE forces invaded Bohemia and crushed revolt (1618-1625)
Forced conversion to Catholicism, ended Protestantism in Bohemia
Second Phase – Danish Phase
Protestant Danes invade HRE to protect fellow Protestants
Many Catholic victories vs. Danish armies
Height of Catholic power during war (1625-1629)
Albrecht von Wallenstein – mercenary leader of Catholic forces
1629 – Edict of Restitution – Emperor ordered all church territories seized since 1552 to be returned to Catholic Church – annulled in a few years
Third Phase – Swedish Phase
Lutheran King Gustavus Adolphus of Sweden entered war to rescue Protestants in HRE
Swedes won victories over Catholic armies (1630-1635)
Gustavus killed in battle in 1632; Sweden defeated in 1634, signed truce
Albrecht von Wallenstein assassinated in 1634
Fourth Phase – International Phase
Bourbon France feared Catholic victory for HRE = German unity
Cardinal Richelieu (French prime minister) allied France with Protestant forces to fight Emperor
France declared war on Spain and HRE, began to bankroll war effort for others (1635-1648)
International PhaseFrench, Dutch, Swedes, and
mercenary armies invaded HRE Invading armies looted and
burned their way across HRE, destroying agriculture and trading centers
Neither side capable of winning a decisive victory
Peace agreement reached in 1648
Results of Thirty Years’ War
Peace of Westphalia (1648): Renewed Peace of Augsburg – added
Calvinism to choices Netherlands and Switzerland given
their independence Pope denied right to intervene in HRE
affairs 300+ German states and cities
became independent – beginning of the end for HRE
Results of Thirty Years’ War
France, Sweden, Brandenburg (Prussia) grew in territory and international stature
Spain and HRE weakened, loss of stature
Germany devastated – population decreased by 1/3 or more in certain areas
Ended the wars of religion – politics now more important
Began the rise of France as the dominant power of Europe
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