1. Absolutism in Central Europe
Susan M. Pojer Horace Greeley HS Chappaqua, NY
Adapted by Mr. Reiner Kolodinski

2. The Habsburgs
& the
Holy Roman Empire

3. Habsburg Family Crest

4. Austrian Empire:

5. Leopold I
Holy Roman Emperor
(r )
HRE Controlled:
Bohemia, Silesia, Moravia, Hungary, Croatia, Transylvania, Netherlands, Lombardy & parts of German area

6. Schönbrunn Palace

7. Schönbrunn Palace

8. Schönbrunn Palace

9. Prince Eugène of Savoy: 1718
Military leader for HRE defeated Ottoman Turks
Privy Counsel to HRE
Negotiated Treaty of Rastatt w/ France
Governor of Austrian Netherlands

10. Prussia & the Austrian Empire: 1721-72

11. The Hohenzollerns
&
Brandenburg-Prussia

12. Prussian Family Crest
Looks complicated?

13. Growth of Austria & Brandenburg-Prussia to 1748

14. Poland: Target of Conquest
1683 King John III Sobieski helped rescue Vienna from Ottoman Turks
Elective monarchy = Rule by outsiders
Polish diet crippled by “Liberum Veto”
Resources, fertile land, no naturally defensible borders = target

15. Frederick William the Great Elector of Prussia
Unified Prussian lands
Royal bureaucracy
Military buildup
Obtained loyalty from nobility – the Junkers

16. King Frederick I of Prussia (r.1701-1713)
Formerly: Frederick III of Brandenburg
(r )
Focused on Arts, Education & Culture

17. Frederick William I Created the modern Prussian State
Nobility+ Army + Monarchy
Militaristic Society

18. Frederick the Great (r. 1740-1786)
Developed modern Prussian army
Became a successful military leader
Invaded Silesia
Gained Territory for Prussia
Brought potato to Prussia
Enlightened Monarch

19. Frederick II (the Great) of Prussia
His grave
His dogs were buried with him
What is that?
A potato plant!

20. Frederick the Great’s Sans Soucci Palace

21. Frederick the Great (r. 1740-1786)

22. Frederick the Great’s Court

23. Europe in 1740

24. The War of the
Austrian Succession

25. Charles VI (r )
No male heir
Pragmatic Sanction gives daughter legal right to succeed
Approved by Hapsburg family & nobles of HRE

26. Maria Theresa of Austria (r. 1740-1780)
Inherited HRE throne from Charles VI – 1740
Weak army + No $$ = target for aggression
Attacked by Frederick II of Prussia 1740… LOST Silesia to Prussia

27. War of the Austrian Succession

28. Maria Theresa & Her Family
Her Notable Children:
HRE Joseph II
HRE Leopold II
Queen Marie Antoinette (Fr.)