Key Terms – Hapsburgs and Hohenzollerns

Central Europe Poland Ottoman Empire Holy Roman Empire The Hapsburgs Charles VI Pragmatic Sanction Prussia The Hohenzollerns

Frederick I Frederick William Frederick the Great Maria Theresa Seven Years' War Treaty of Paris

Central Europe at a Glance

Central Europe

Central Europe was composed of three weak empires and two massive ones.

All of these empires lagged behind the Western European Empires of France, Britain, Spain and Portugal.

These empires sought to build land empires rather than empires by sea.

Most of the smaller empires would absorb each other or grow stronger via alliance.

The Ottoman Empire

Had reached its greatest height under the reign of Suleiman the Magnificent

Held territories ranging from the Middle East to Hungary at its height.

Its last, best chance to govern over Europe was turned away in Vienna in the 17th Century

The Holy Roman Empire

Consisted of 300 smaller states that refused unification for a large period of time

Would attempt to be unified under Prussian rule initially but would be turned away

Territory was rich in resources but the lack of unity caused this empire to fall apart slowly after the Wars of Religion

Poland

Country that was considered weak due to its poor and inefficient government system

Country was run by diets (small legislatures) and their rulers were selected from outside of the country to prevent the nobility from gaining too much power.

The Hapsburgs

Ruled Austria since the 1400's

Controlled many different ethnic and religious groups

Would be able to control all of the people within Austria because of the constant dynastic rule of the Hapsburgs

Charles VI

Presided over Austria during the War of Spanish Succession

Was able to acquire new territories in Belgium which led to the division of Austria into three different territories: Austria Bohemia Hungary

Charles VI and the Hapsburgs

With his health failing, Charles sought to ensure that the Hapsburg dynasty would continue its rule in Austria

Considering his only heir was a female, Maria Theresa, many countries refused her rule and threatened to secede from the empire

Charles VI would force these areas and countries to sign the Pragmatic Sanction Legally gave Maria Theresa control over all

Hapsburg landholdings and clearly stated her as queen of the Austrian kingdom

Prussia

Built by the Hohenzollern dynasty

Greatest landholding was Brandenburg

Ruling prince of Prussia was one of seven electors who selected the Holy Roman Emperor

Prussia would be built on the backs of its strong rulers and would become future Germany

Frederick I (1701-1713)

Would be the first king of the Kingdom of Prussia

Was responsible for building up Prussia's infrastructure

Would have E. Prussia recognized as a kingdom Would consolidate all

other Prussian landholdings under the name Prussia

Frederick William I (1713-1740)

Known as the soldier-king Believed that the military

was the most important aspect of Prussia that needed to be built up

Would form alliances with other countries to prevent using his own troops

Managed to avoid being involved in any wars and left a surplus of money in the treasury upon his death.

Frederick II “the Great” (1740-1786, technically.)

Was considered an enlightened despot

Oversaw the largest growth of power in Prussia

Was responsible for acquiring Silesia from Austria and Maria Theresa

Oversaw the First Partition of Poland along with Maria Theresa and Catherine the Great

Maria Theresa, (1745-1780) Held numerous titles after

the death of her father Charles VI up to and including Holy Roman Empress, Archduchess of Austria, Queen of Bohemia, Croatia, Saxony and other countries

Her reign was repudiated by other countries including France which led to the War of Austrian Succession

Had sixteen children including Marie Antoinette

The Austrian Invasion

Upon acceding to the throne, Maria Theresa would be attacked by Frederick the Great

Frederick would be joined by other countries, including France, in his attempt to remove Maria Theresa from power and claim portions of Austria

Maria Theresa would ask Hungary for assistance and would manage to only lose Silesia to Prussia via the Treaty of Aix-La Chapelle

The Seven Years' War

The Seven Years' War would begin and involve practically all of the major powers in the world.

It would be known as the French and Indian War as well over in North America

The war would begin due to issues between Britain and France over colonial landholdings and Prussia and Austria over the Prussian invasion and attempts to acquire Silesia

The British would ally with Prussia, while the Austrians would ally with the French

Results of the Seven Years' War

The Treaty of Paris would end the fighting between France and Britain Britain acquires New

France and takes away portions of France's overseas empire in Asia

The Treaty of Hubertusburg ended the fighting between Austria and Prussia Prussia retains Silesia