Thirty+Years+War+KK

Kyungna Kim

Thirty Years War


 * Prompt**: Analyze the four phases of the Thirty Years and the outcomes of each one.

Leading up to the War


 * Began as a civil war over religion within Germany
 * Alliances formed with outside powers based on religion (Protestant Union / Catholic League)
 * Ferdinand II wished to gain control of Bohemia (to become emperor of the HRE)
 * Elected king of Bohemia after promising religious liberty
 * Defenestration of Prague: Bohemian nobles threw imperial officers out the window

Bohemian Phase


 * Frederick V’s Protestant forces were defeated (White Mountain)
 * Ferdinand II of Habsburg took any rebelling Bohemian lands
 * Catholic victory in Bavaria and much of Electorate Palatine
 * Counter-Reformation started in Bohemia

Danish Phase


 * Christian IV of Denmark (Lutheran) wanted to support Protestant side of war
 * He was also looking for territorial expansion in the Baltic regions
 * He was defeated by Wallenstien of the HRE
 * Edict of Restitution: Church lands returned, angered both sides
 * HRE about to gain centralized power over much of the continent

Swedish Phase


 * Gustavus Adolphus of Sweden wanted to revive the Protestant side of the war
 * Had successful battles at Breitenfield and Lutzen
 * Cardinal Richelieu brought France into the war in an effort to undermine the HRE
 * The new emperor Ferdinand III signed the Peace of Prague; but failed to cease fighting

Franco-Swedish Phase


 * French defeated Spanish forces at Rocroi, signaling their rise as a military power
 * Philip IV of France continued to fight
 * Spain faced with internal problems (Portugal, Catalonia)
 * War ended once all sides were exhausted; but peace negotiations continued

Source: AP Achiever, []