Thirty Years War

A detailed Summary of Thirty Years War


The Thirty Years' War was a defining moment in the 17th century of Europe. The dynastic ambitions of many countries resulted in war over certain land. Religion also played a similar factor in the Thirty Years' War. When the war was being fought at first it began as a religious war but as it progressed it became more political. The importance of religion was secondary to the dynasties will to control certain areas of Europe.

When the Peace of Augsburg was signed in 1555, it settled the disputes between the Lutherans and Catholics. It said nothing about the practice of Calvinism. The two Holy Roman emperors, Matthias and Ferdinand II, were determined to rid of Protestantism and to rule Germany.

In Bohemia the Hugenots, (Protestants) rejected the idea of having a Habsburg as a king. Frederick of Palatinate who was the Calvinist ruler in Bohemia went to war with the Habsburgs. When two of the Kings governors came to visit, Bohemia Protestant noblemen threw them out of a window. This was known as the Defenestration of Prague. In response to this Ferdinand of Habsburg, soon to be elected Holy Roman Emperor Ferdinand II decided to take action against Frederick V. Since both sides were convinced that they were fighting for a


At the end of the Thirty Years' War the main outcome was the division of lands. The whole concept of fighting the war was lost. Religion, instead of being number one priority became number two. The dynastic ambitions of the Monarchies were more important. This was the last and final religious war. There would be no more in Europe after this. By the end of the seventeenth century Protestants and Catholics expected to gain no more land by fighting.

Another religious cause for fighting the war the Catholic Counter Reformation was making an impact on Germany. Protestant Germans were worried about the influence of the Catholic Church on the Lutheran states. Cardinal Richelieu wanted to defeat the Habsburgs. He was sending diplomats everywhere to gain allies against the Habsburgs. When Adolphus was attacking Germany, Richelieu was negotiating with the German Catholic states. He wanted to make them feel that if they cooperated that they would be fine as they were.

holy cause each leader began to gain some allies. In the end, however, Bohemia was made Catholic, and the Spanish took over Frederick of Palatinate's land.

After Ferdinand had taken Bohemia, he invaded northern Germany. The Protestants were in fear. Christian IV, the king of Denmark, led an ar

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Approximate Word count = 858
Approximate Pages = 3 (250 words per page double spaced)

Category: History

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