1. AP EURO Unit #2 - Absolutism Lesson #5 German Powers

2. Holy Roman Empire
How did the Thirty Years War reduced them to nothing more than a shell of power?
How did the impact of the Thirty Years War make it impossible for Germans to take center stage for a century?
How will the Thirty Years War open the stage for a smaller power “with spunk” to dare to become an equal?
The empire had been run by the Hapsburgs from Austria; Austria will need somewhere weak to dominate – suggestions?

3. Hapsburg Family Associate them with Austrian monarchy (1438-1740)
The most powerful region in all of the Empire
Ultra Catholic
For generations, the HRE was always a Hapsburg
They had the wealth
They had the power
They were bent on controlling all Germans

4. Hapsburg Family
Known for having taken arranged marriages to a whole new level
exploiting unions between European royal families with the aim of forming new alliances and earning new territories
Their motto was simple and straightforward: “Let others wage wars, but you, happy Austria, shall marry.”
Considered one of the top 5 most influential families in history of the world

5. Ferdinand II r.1619-1637 (reminder: 30 Years War: 1618-1648)
He kinda started the 30 Years War
(WHAT AM I TALKING ABOUT?)
He eliminated the Protestants in Austrian held lands during the Thirty Years War.
What happened next?
How would you describe the Hapsburgs?

6. Ferdinand III r. 1637-1657 Centralized the government
Maintained a large standing army
No more internal conflicts

7. Hapsburgs Turned power South and East Took Hungary to Southeast
Moved into Balkans (further SE)
What are they trying to “get”?
Who will the come into conflict with?
Defeated Ottomans 1699 in Hungary and Transylvania
Most of Hapsburg lands now located outside The Empire – what will this mean for unity?
Diverse languages and cultures – had to make deals with Nobility

8. Hungarian Nobility
After taken over, the Hungarian nobility resisted Hapsburg absolutism
Hapsburgs allowed them some autonomy – for a short time
Hungarians became zealously Catholic
Completely intolerant
Why?
Vienna – became center for culture in the region – Palace at Schonbrunn
What does it look like? (it’s emulating…)

9. PRUSSIA

10. HOHENZOLLERN
Disjointed lands
United by family control

11. Frederick William, Great Elector
(he supported HRE against Louis XIV)
Imperial electorate of Brandenburg
Included Prussia (run by Dukes of Prussia)
Scattered holdings on Rhine River
Determined to unite three provinces
Brandenburg and Prussia
Run by Junkers (nobles)
What will he need to force unity?
Frederick William built up military to 40,000
Allowed Junkers to enserf population
Why would he allow such a thing?

12. Frederick I, King of Prussia
r (last years of Louis XIV)
Son of FW, Great Elector
Very cultured
Built palaces, patronized arts, built Univ.
Lived “well”
Offered the Prussian army to assist HRE in War of Spanish Succession
Why would he do that?
As a reward, HRE allowed title: “KING IN PRUSSIA”

13. Frederick William I r. 1713-1740 “the soldiers king”
Complete centralization of the State
True Prussian Absolutism
Intensely militaristic; wore uniform
Disciplined life of a soldier
Transformed Prussia into a military state
Eliminated the last of local self-government
Exceptionally loyal and obedient bureaucracy
12 largest population in Europe; 4th largest army
Best equipped, most powerful; precision and discipline

14. But… Frederick William was abusive…
He hated that his son, the future Frederick the Great was more of an artist than a military man.
Frederick Williams wife was VERY into the Enlightenment, the arts, and bringing culture to the palace
Frederick William would beat young Frederick publically for his lack of military focus
What would you do when you turned 18?
He and his BFF ran off together.
They were caught.
The result would scar Frederick for the rest of his life.
Frederick William spent the rest of his life forcing young Frederick to “be a man.”
Forcing him to accept responsibility of his role as heir
But, his mom’s influence never left him.
What sort of a leader do you think he’d be?

15. Frederick II (The Great)
(during early years of French Revolution)
Young king - Immediately attacked Austria upon ascending to throne
Upset Pragmatic Sanction (Maria Theresa)
Started War of Austrian Succession
Frederick created one of the most successful tiny states, that would become one of the most influential Europe would ever know.
Combining teaching from his mom and dad made him one of the greatest leaders ever
What does this show about him?
How will Prussia benefit from this attack?

16. Sanssouci – anecdote for dog lovers
An unabashed dog lover, Frederick II is credited with coining the phrase “man’s best friend” to describe one of his greyhounds.
The phrase appeared in a 1789 biography, published after his death. Frederick wanted to be buried next to his dogs at Sanssouci, but his heir entombed him in Potsdam next to his hated father.
After the reunification of Germany, Frederick the Great finally got his wish: He was interred alongside his canine companions in 1991.

17. Primary Source Analysis – Frederick’s memoirs:
According to this article, what should “guide” a king (sovereign)?
By what law must a king live?
What must a king be willing to sacrifice?
His own life and his own promises
What is an example of both? (from #3)
How about that last question… compare Frederick to Machiavelli.
How did Charles V, HRE do #5?

18. Frederick’s Essay on Forms of Government:
What must a king know about his country?
How does Frederick compare a ruler to the people over which he rules?
How does this compare to Henry VIII and Louis XIV?
Are there any rulers who actually DID “serve” with honesty, wisdom and equality?
Maybe Gustavus, maybe Henry IV, maybe Elizabeth
How is Louis described in here negatively?
How about Henry VIII?
How does he describe behavior of a ruler?
His is this NOT Machiavellian?