Do Now – World History
In the Middle Ages, and the system of feudalism, who
were common people loyal to?
Also in the Middle Ages, who was on top of the social
pyramid?
The Thirty Years War
1618 - 1648
(It lasted 30 years)
“Nation” (In the Middle Ages)
Who leads a nation?
Who grants that leader the authority to rule?
By these answers, how would we define a nation in the
Middle Ages?
Example of a Middle-Ages Nation: Holy Roman
Empire
Over 250 small kingdoms, each run by princes
“United” by a single Emperor,
Emperor had no real authority, and no additional land
Usually was named Emperor by the Pope as a reward
Often “ruled” from an outside country
These kingdoms often fought religious wars against one
another
Peace of Augsburg, 1555
Agreement in the Holy Roman Empire (“HRE”) in 1555
Signed by Emperor Charles V
Princes could choose Catholic or Lutheran for their
kingdom
What was the purpose of the Peace of Augsburg?
How effective do you think this peace was?
Peace of Augsburg, continued
What religion did the Peace of Augsburg not account
for?
How might this lead to the collapse of the Peace of
Augsburg?
Yup, you’re right: #UnGood
In 1617, Ferdinand II, the new King of Bohemia, changed
the official religion to Catholicism.
Bohemia had been a Protestant (Lutheran) area.
How might have the people of Bohemia reacted?
Fighting Breaks Out
In 1618, the Protestant kingdom of
Bohemia revolted against Ferdinand II,
who had now become Holy Roman
Emperor.
Fighting began after some Protestant
officials threw Catholic officials out of a
second-story window, in an event
known as the Defenestration of Prague.
Ferdinand II tried to conquer
neighboring kingdoms to convert them
to Catholicism.
A Civil War
This led to a civil war between Catholic and Protestant
kingdoms within the Holy Roman Empire.
None of the rulers could afford to pay their soldiers
What might happen as a result of soldiers not being paid?
Domestic Effects of the War
Soldiers plundered the
villages and fields for food.
As many as half the
people in the HRE were
killed in the war or starved
to death, due to food
shortages.
Other Nations Join
Why would other nations join the war?
Other Nations Join
Catholics versus
Protestants
Take territory
“Help a brother out”
Squeezed in the
middle
The End of the War
The Peace of Westphalia ended the war in 1648
It revolutionized Europe
(I think it’s the most important thing you will learn this year)
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