The Thirty Years' War and the Rise of Absolutism in Europe

The Thirty Years' War (1618-1648)

Causes:

This war was caused by the conflict between Catholics and Protestants in the Holy Roman Empire. Gradually, it developed into a more general conflict for European political dominance.

The Main Problem of the War and the Different Participants:

Protestants Uprising in Bohemia:

Some Protestant nobles expelled the Catholic rulers and appointed a Protestant King in Bohemia. The Emperor, who was also King of Bohemia, fought against them.

Two Sides Were Formed:

1. The Emperor had the support of the German Catholics and the Kings of Spain and Portugal.
2. The Protestants allied with German princes, but they were defeated.

Swedish Participation:

1. After the Surrender of Breda, the German Catholics took the Protestants' possessions, so the Protestant King of Sweden came to their aid.
2. This created a balance of power, and a peace treaty was signed.

France Joined the Conflict:

After the Surrender of Breda, France feared the powerful Spain and Holy Roman Empire. So, even though it was a Catholic state, it joined with the Protestants and defeated the Spanish troops in Rocroi.

Consequences of the War:

The war was taking a heavy toll on all the powers involved. So they signed the Peace of Westphalia in 1648, and the war ended.

1. The Spanish monarchy lost their dominance over Europe.
2. The northern provinces of the Low Countries became independent and a great trading and naval power.
3. The sovereignty of the German States was recognized. Religious tolerance and limits on the power held by the emperor were established.
4. Sweden became the dominant state in the Baltic Coast.
5. France obtained territories in the Holy Roman Empire and became the leading power in Europe.

France and Absolutism

Absolutism:

A political system where all the power was held by the king. The main example is during the Early Modern Age with King Louis XIV of France (1643-1715).

Characteristics of the Reign of Louis XIV:

1. The king had unrestricted power. He made the laws and governed through decrees.
2. He had a large court of advisors who lived with him in the Palace of Versailles.
3. He created a centralized state by increasing the number of officials acting under his orders: secretaries, police, mayors, magistrates or judges, and a board of governors under the Prime Minister or Chancellor.
4. He gave the administrative officials, who came from the bourgeoisie, professional status.
5. He expanded the diplomatic corps.
6. He had an extremely well-organized professional army with impressive weapons and defensive fortresses.
7. He intervened in the economy by introducing duties and creating royal workshops.

The Support of Absolutism:

1. The French Church: Absolute power was considered a divine right because the king was God's representative.
2. Some thinkers considered absolute monarchy to be the best possible political system.

The Generalization of Absolutism:

Absolutism began to spread to the majority of the European states except England and Holland, where parliamentary systems were introduced.