The Thirty Years War
1618-1648
The Gist
The Thirty Year War was mainly a conflict between different states who had different religious differences. Many country interfered or actively fought in the war. It wiped out over half of Europe and is considered the most devastating war of modern time.
Cause of the War
Started in Germany when Roman Emperor Ferninand II of Bohemia attempted to close Potestant churches and restrain Protestant religious activity. The faults of the Peace of Augsburg, which brought the first religious war in Germany to an end, also contributed to tension between the Catholics and the Protestants. The treaty had granted the right that non religious princes in their own territories which resulted in tyranny by these princes and then they denied the people their religious freedom, starting the war.
The Bohemian Phase (1618-1625)
- Ferdinand II was elected King of Austria, after the death of King Mattias.
- The elected King sent two Catholic councillors to a castle in Prague and wanted them to administer the government. Then the Protestants seized and threw them out the window and survived by landing in horse manure. This event was called the defenestration of Prague and it started the Bohemian revolt.
- As a result Ferdinand II moved to Bohemia, and then Bohemia nobles looked for help from Frederick V. Frederick lost to the Catholics in Buvaria at White Mountian, then Ferdinand reinforced his empire with Spanish troops.
The Danish Phase (1625-1629)
- King of Denamrk Christian IV, joins the war.
- Wallestein, a Bohemian military leader and politican, recruits and makes a professional army for Ferdinand and quickly defeat the Danish.
- Edict of Restitution is declared and cancels out the Peace of Augsburg, and states that everyone must go back to Catholicism.
The Swedish Phase (1630-1645)
- After the Danish defeat, the Catholics swarm over to Protestant Germany.
- Then Gustavus Adolphus, King of Sweden, entered the war and built the most modern army of all time for the Catholics.
- Catholic Bishop Richelieu of Catholic France aids the Protestants against the Catholic Holy Roman Empire. Protestants, under his leadership Sweden wins. Adolphus was killed in battle at Lutzen in 1632.
The Swedish & French Phase (1635-1648)
- By now, Richelieu comes out and sides with the Protestants and supports the Swedish, and France then joined the Protestant side.
- When France joined, the Spanish came down from the Netherlands and went to attack France, instead of fighting France moved towards Spain and French troops move to Catalonia, Spain.
The Treaty of Westphalia (document)
Ended the war and allowed religious freedom restored and now people can choose between Catholicism, Lutheranism, or Calivinism. Sweden was freed from Austria and German states became independent nations. The Netherlands were freed from Spain and the Holy Roman Empire's power dissolved.
Groups That Contributed to the War
Sweden:
- The Swedish intervention took place between 1630-1635, considered to be an independent conflict.
- After several attempts by the Holy Roman Empire to prevent the spread of Protestantism in Europe.
- The King of Sweden (Gustav II Adolf) ordered a full-scale invasion of the Catholics states.
France:
- They joined the Swedish army when the Spanish attacked, resulting in France moving towards Spain instead.
Denmark:
- They came into fighting when the fear of the Hapsburg's power in Northern Europe.
Bohemia:
- Bohemia was lead by Frederick V, had an uprising against the Hapsburg caused by religious and power disputes.
- As a result of the disagreement, the Catholics won.
Main Significance of the War
Spain and the Roman Empire collapsed since both Protestant (north) and Catholic (south) were unable to effectively combat Hapsburgs who became the sole of the Imperial title. The Thrity Year War was the most destructive European war of modern time and wiping out over half of the European population.
Outcome
- Treaty of Westphalia
- Division of the Holy Roman Empire into seperate territories
- Netherlands gained their independence from Spain and Sweden was freed from Austria
- The Empire's population dropped down from 25% to 40%
Summary
The Thirty Year War, 1618-1648, began when the Holy Roman Emperor Ferdinand II of Bohemian attempted to convert Protestants to Catholicism. It was a series of conflicts was fought between Roman Catholic and Protestant states. The war involved the majors powers of Europe, mainly Sweden, France, Denmark and Bohemia. The Peace of Westphalia ended the series of wars resulting in division of the Holy Roman Empire.