Central europe and russia in the age of absolutism

1. Central and Eastern Europe
in the Age of Absolutism
Created by
David William Phillips

2. The Thirty Years’ War

3. The Thirty Years’ War:
1618 - 1648
Involved most of the countries of
western Europe
Fought mainly in Germany; about 5
million people, 20-30% of the
German population died
Began as a struggle between
Protestants and Roman Catholics
but as the conflict continued it
became mostly political
Gustavus Adolphus, King of Sweden,
led an invasion of Germany during the Thirty Years’ War.

4. The Results of the Thirty Years’ War:
1. The Hapsburgs lost control of Germany.
2. Sweden became the dominant state in Northern Europe.
3. France replaced Spain as the greatest European power.

5. The Hapsburgs
One of the oldest and most prominent royal families of Europe.
At their height, they controlled much of Europe.
By 1700s, their main holdings were in Austria.

6. The Hohenzollerns
A family of German rulers
who ruled the state of
Prussia.
They had a reputation for
military excellence.
Eventually, they united and
ruled all Germany until the
end of World War I in 1918.
Hohenzollern Castle

7. FrederickWilliamI - king of Prussia (1713-1740)
During his reign Prussia became a major European
state.
Frederick William's greatest accomplishment was in
the internal development of Prussia.
He instituted compulsory elementary education in
Prussia.
Under his supervision, Prussia became the third
largest military power in Europe.

8. FrederickII, the Great
King of Prussia (1740-86)
Among the most enlightened
despots in 18th century Europe.
Studied philosophy, history, and
poetry and corresponded with the
French philosophers, notably
Voltaire.
Opposed the political doctrines of
Machiavelli favoring peaceful and
enlightened rule.
A military genius who increased the
efficiency and size of the army.

9. Frederick the Great
King of Prussia (1740-86)
One of the most enlightened rulers
of Europe
Opposed the political theories of
Machiavelli and favored peaceful
and enlightened rule
A military genius

10. The War of the Austrian Succession
In 1713, the archduke of Austria had
the other nations of Europe recognize, in
the Pragmatic Sanction, that if he died
without a male heir his eldest daughter,
Maria Theresa would inherit the
Hapsburg lands.
However, upon the archduke’s death,
others claimed Hapsburg throne.

11. Frederick II took the opportunity to invade and occupy part of Austria. Maria
Theresa, however, remained in power.

12. Maria Theresa then carried out a Diplomatic Revolution to gain allies against
Prussia.

13. The Seven Years’ War
1756 to 1763
Fought for control of Germany and supremacy in North America and India
It involved most of the major powers of Europe:
Prussia, Great Britain, and Hannover
vs.
Austria, Saxony, France, Russia, Sweden, and Spain.

14. In North America, the conflict was known as the French and Indian War.
The Seven Years’ War left Great Britain as the main power in North America
and India.

17. Rulersof
Russia

18. Ivan the Terrible
r. 1547-1584
First tsar of Russia
A brutal and cruel tyrant

19. When his wife Anastasia died in
1560, Ivan believed she had been
poisoned.
This sent Ivan into a downward
spiral of murder and cruelty.

20. Ivan became famous for
torturing and executing
thousands of people in
unusual and painful ways.
Some were even roasted on a
spit or fried in large skillets.

21. In 1582, Ivan killed his son, his only possible respectable heir.
Before his death, Ivan became a monk in the hope of finding forgiveness.

22. During his 51 year rule,
Ivan IV centralized the
government and
expanded Russia’s
boundaries.
He extended the empire
into Siberia and
promoted trade with
Western Europe.

23. Peter the Great
Emperor of Russia
r. 1682-1725
Peter was responsible for Russia’s
rise as a great world power.
He brought Western culture to
Russia, built roads and canals,
modernized the army and navy,
and secured seaports for trade.

24. Peter was almost 7 ft. tall!
He was barely able to read and write
but easily absorbed information and
had wide interests.
He was the best ship builder in
Russia. He spared no money or effort
in extending and improving Russia's
shipping industry.

25. In 1697, Peter took a Grand
Tour of Europe in disguise as
a carpenter.
Peter learned as much as
possible from the West -
navigation, technical skills
and crafts, and the way of
life of Europe.
Peter wanted to Westernize
and modernize the entire
Russian government,
society, and culture.

26. The Great Northern War
1700-1721
Peter fought against Sweden to win the Baltic coastline, the "window into
Europe.“

27. Sweden was considered to have the best army in Europe.
Crushed by the Swedes in 1700, Peter modernized and transformed the Russian
army, and the tide turned in the war.

28. Peter moved the capital to Saint Petersburg in 1712.
Peter needed an outlet to the Baltic Sea and intended to make Saint Petersburg
a modern, Western-style city that would serve as Russia's “window on Europe.”

29. The Russian Winter Palace, St. Petersburg

32. Catherine the Great
Empress of Russia
r. 1762-1796
Continued Peter the Great’s
Westernization policy
Expanded Russia’s borders
Believed in ruling according
to the principles of the
Enlightenment

33. Under Catherine, the property
rights of the landlords
increased.
Serfdom became stronger than
ever in Russia.

34. Catherine the Great’s Carriage