The Rise of Austria and Prussia

Chapter 4 Section 4

OBJECTIVES

1 – Outline the causes and

results of the Thirty Years’

War

2 – Understand how Austria and Prussia emerged as great powers

3 – Describe how European nations tried to

maintain a balance of

power

I. The Thirty Years’ War• Begins in Bohemia

– Catholic V Protestant– Soon widens to a total European War

• Becomes a war of Political interests

• Peace of Westphalia– Ended the Thirty Years’ War– Severe Depopulation of the German States

• Estimated about 1/3 of the people died as a result of the war– France emerges as the clear winner– The Netherlands and the Swiss get complete independence– German Lands

• Divided into 360 separate states

II. Hapsburg Austria• The New Austrian Empire

– The Hapsburgs• Long running German family

– Many Hapsburgs were Holy Roman Emperors

– Lost some power after the Thirty Years’ War– Establishes a new Empire in territories throughout Central Europe

• Present day Czech Republic, Austria and Hungary included lands of Bohemia, Hungary, Poland and Italian states

• Very Diverse– Different languages, religions and cultures

• Too hard to control under 1 central government• Maria Theresa

– 1740– 1st woman to rule the Hapsburg Empire

• War of Austrian Succession– Prussia attacks Austria when Maria Theresa takes the throne

• France takes advantage of Austria and attacks• Austria turns to Great Britain and makes an alliance

– The war will be fought in three parts of the world• Europe

– Prussia attacks Austrian Silesia– France Attacks Austrian Netherlands

• Far East– France takes over the British colony of Madras (India)

• America– British capture French fort of Louisbourg at the entrance to the St.

Lawrence– The Peace of Aix-la-Chappelle

• All lands would be returned to their previous owners except Silesia

III. Prussia• Frederick William I

– Gained support of the Junkers• German nobility

– Placed emphasis on military• “Prussia is not a state which possesses an army, but an army which possess a

state”

• Frederick the Great (Frederick II)– Willing to make enlightened reforms:

• Abolished the use of torture• Granted limited freedom of speech and freedom of press

– However, to prevent other major reforms he:• Kept serfdom• Rigid social structure

IV Seven Years’ War– Old Rivalries• Austria and Prussia• Austria and France• France and Britain

– New Allies• France and Austria • Britain and Prussia

– The Conflict Area• Europe• India• North America

• Europe– Main site for Austria and Prussia– Fighting over Silesia– This war ends in a peace treaty

• With Prussia keeping Silesia

• India– French invade India, a British colony– The British win out because of persistence

• North America– British and French wars over two major areas

• Waterways of the St. Lawrence• Ohio River Valley

– Also known as the French and Indian War• The French were able to side with the Native Americans• British Naval support key to victory• The British are able to take Montreal

– Once Montreal is taken, the ORV and the SLRV are locked to the British

– The Peace of Paris (1763)• French are sent out of India for good• French also have to transfer Canada and the lands east

of the Mississippi River to England• Spain (Allied with France) gives Florida to the British