The 30 Years War
1618-1648
A complex war, which begun as a religious war, but ended as a international dispute of political affairs.
Summary of the War
The Protestant Rebellion would have ended there, if not for the Swedish military, led by King Gustavus Adolphus, saved the Protestant cause. The Swedish military marched through, and swept the Imperialists, and drove them from much of Germany. Until, the Spanish army defeated much of Swedish field army at Nordington, and forced the Protestants out of Southern Germany. This however, provoked France, who then declared war on Spain. All countries were now participating , and this was the most destructive, and eventually led to the Peace of Westphalia.
Key People in the 30 Years War
Albrecht von Wallenstein
Prince Ferdinand II of Bohemia
Gustavus Adolphus II of Sweden
Outcomes of the War
- Militaries utilized methods of total war
- Argiculture collapsed, massive famine, which caused even more death, even up to 50% in some areas
- Trade collapsed
- Economy collapsed, inflation soared
- France won the region of Alsace, and was the most powerful nation at one point
- Northern States in Germany remained primarily Protestant, while the Southern states were Catholic