1. The Rise Of Austria and Prussia By Zuri Marley The Thirty Years’ War took a terrible toll on the people of the German states. Finally, two great German-speaking powers, Austria and Prussia, rose out of the ashes. Like Louis XIV in France, their rulers perfected skills as absolute monarchs.

2. The Thirty Years War Ravages Europe

6. Monarchs

10. The Hapsburg were not fortunate for they had to accept the total independence of all the princes of the HRE (Holy Roman Empire) The Netherlands and Swiss federation (Switzerland) won recognition as independent states. The Thirty Years' War left German lands divided into more than 360 states. "one for every day of the year” Each state had its own government, currency, church, armed forces and foreign policy, while still acknowledging the rule of the HRE. The German states had the potential to be the most powerful nation in Europe if they had been unified. They remained separated for another 223 years.

12. 1717-1780 Hapsburg empress at age 23 She appointed superb advisors and was able to maintain control of her empire. During her 40 year reign, Vienna became the center of music and arts. Maria Theresa had one thing in common with most women of her time-being a mother. She gave birth to a total of 16 children, 11 girls and 5 boys. For example: Joseph II, Leopold II, and Queen Marie Antoinette of France.

16. Hohenzollerns rule set up an efficient bureaucracy Coming to power in 1713 Frederick William I increased his control by giving nobles positions in the army and government and gaining their loyalty Frederick placed great emphasis on military values and made one of the best trained armies in Europe He gained the loyalty of the Prussian nobles called Junkers by giving them positions in the government and army.

19. Conclusion