The Thirty Years War By: Will Fordham and Adrian Crace

Origins  There were numerous problems and conflicts that contributed to the Thirty Years War. One was the conflict between Protestants and Catholics, which had divided the population of many European countries. The war began as a religious war but there were some political motives. Some non- religious contributing factors were: Spain was interested in German territory because it bordered the Spanish- Netherlands and it would connect those lands to Spanish states in Italy. Another reason is France wanted to exercise its power over the weaker German states. Sweden and Denmark wanted the German states as well.

Who ► The thirty years war involved many of the European powers. They were: Sweden, Bohemia, Denmark-Norway, Dutch Republic, France, Scotland, England, Saxony, Transylvania, Holy Roman Empire, and Spain. They were divided between Protestant and Catholic. Sweden, Bohemia, Denmark-Norway, Dutch Republic, France, Scotland, Saxony and Transylvania were mostly protestant. The Holy Roman Empire and Spain were Catholic.

Where  The war started in Bohemia (modern day Czech Republic) and quickly spread throughout Europe. Most of the fighting was in Germany (because it was a desirable piece of land to other European countries) and Bohemia.

When The Thirty years began at a time when conflict between Protestants and Catholics was high. The war began in 1618 and ended thirty years later in The war was fought in phases, all of which were in close periods of time. To begin the war was the Bohemian revolt ( ), followed by the Danish intervention ( ). Then came the Swedish intervention ( ), which preceded the French intervention ( ). Second Defenestration of Prague

Why ► The Thirty Years war started with the Bohemian revolt which began with the Second Defenestration of Prague. This was when Ferdinand II, Holy Roman Emperor (who was Catholic) became the King of both Bohemia and Hungary (mostly Protestant nations). The Protestants were very angry that a Catholic was ruling them. Ferdinand sent two Catholic councilors as his representatives to head the government in his absence to Hradcany Castle in Prague in May, When they arrived, Bohemian Protestants seized them and threw them out a 50 foot window in the castle. Amazingly the two survived the fall because they landed in a pile of manure. This event caused Protestants in other parts of Bohemia and across Europe to battle Catholics, which began the Thirty Years War. Ferdinand II, Holy Roman Emperor and King of Bohemia

How  The Thirty Years war ended in 1648 under the term "the Peace of Westphalia." This term actually was the basis for the end of two wars: the Thirty Years War and the Eighty Years War. This peace treaty declared that Ferdinand III lost all of the power he had illegitimately taken in violation of the Holy Roman Empire's constitution. This allowed the German states to determine the religion of their states. Also, Catholics and Protestants were defined as equals before law, and Calvinism became legally recognized. Ferdinand III Ratification of the Treaty

What Obviously, the war that went on for 30 years is going to have an effect on the population, economy, and landscape of central Europe. Germany had a decrease in population by approx. 25%. Tens of thousands of soldiers were killed in action, and many more - including civilians- were killed by the merciless spread of disease and famine. But the war served some good outcomes for many countries such as the Dutch Republic, Switzerland, Savoy, Milan, Genoa, Mantua, Tuscany, Lucca, Modena and Parma, who all gained recognition of their independence. France, also, gained a lot of land, allowing them to stretch their borders rather than shrink them. The Thirty Years War also marked then end of widespread use of mercenaries, because countries started to train soldiers from their own nations. The war also marked the end or widespread use of pikes when armies started to use guns. Obviously, the war that went on for 30 years is going to have an effect on the population, economy, and landscape of central Europe. Germany had a decrease in population by approx. 25%. Tens of thousands of soldiers were killed in action, and many more - including civilians- were killed by the merciless spread of disease and famine. But the war served some good outcomes for many countries such as the Dutch Republic, Switzerland, Savoy, Milan, Genoa, Mantua, Tuscany, Lucca, Modena and Parma, who all gained recognition of their independence. France, also, gained a lot of land, allowing them to stretch their borders rather than shrink them. The Thirty Years War also marked then end of widespread use of mercenaries, because countries started to train soldiers from their own nations. The war also marked the end or widespread use of pikes when armies started to use guns.