1. Austria

2. The “Kardashian’s” of Old Europe
Hapsburgs (Catholic) Family
Lands Added:
Bohemia
Hungary
Parts of Poland & Italy

3. Attempted to unite the lands but had too many difficulties:
Throughout the empire:
Different languages
Different laws
Different assemblies
Different customs

4. Never was able to develop a centralized system like France or Prussia (eventually)

5. Leaders Charles VI Didn’t have a son for an heir, just a daughter
Maria Theresa (daughter of Charles VI)
Difficulty being recognized as a true leader b/c no woman had ever been leader before.

6. Fought Frederick II (Prussia) b/c he seized Silesia (major Austrian Province) Fought in the Eight Year War Got help from Hungarians, British, Russians Couldn’t force Frederick II out BUT…. Preserved her empire Won support of the people

7. Reorganized the bureaucracy
Improved tax collection
Forced nobles/clergy to pay taxes
Tried to ease the burden of taxes/labor services on the peasants
Succeeded by her son, Joseph II

8. Prussia
Old Germany

9. 1600s – Hohenzollern (Protestant) Family
* United lands by “filling in” the areas between their original provinces
* Set up a central bureaucracy – very efficient
* Reduced the independence of the Junkers (nobles/landowning aristocrats)

10. Leaders Frederick William I – 1701 (1st King of Prussia)
Established one of the best armies in Europe
Government was based on military values

11. Wasn’t looking for more war
“Rented/leased” out his troops to make money for the country
Won loyalty of the Junkers by giving them positions in the army & gov’t

12. Prussia was strong enough to take on Austria
By 1740
Prussia was strong enough to take on Austria

13. Frederick II the Great (son of Frederick William I)
Not interested in war at first
Forced into military training by his father
Enjoyed history, poetry, music, Enlightenment ideals
Abolished torture
Reformed courts

14. Allowed all religions (tolerance)
Improved society
Invaded/conquered Austrian territory (Silesia) – see Austrian notes
Forced Poland to give up land
Prussia disappeared after Frederick II until after World War II