The Rise of Austria and Prussia

1. The Rise of Austria and Prussia Chapter 4 Section 4

2. 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

3. 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

4. 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

5. 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

6. 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

7. 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

8. 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