elector
seven leading German princes
Ferdinand
the Catholic Hapsburg king of Bohemia who sought to suppress Protestants and to assert royal power over nobles
mercenary
soldier for hire
depopulation
reduction in population
Peace of Westphalia
In 1648, the exhausted combatants accepted a series of treaties known as the ___ __ _______ - aspired both to bring about a general European peace and to settle other international problems
Maria Theresa
daughter of Charles VI who was intelligent and capable; Charles persuaded the rulers to recognize his daughter's right to succeed him, but the rulers ignored their pledge
War of the Austrian Succession
an eight-year war sparked after Frederick II of Prussia seized the rich Hapsburg province of Silesia
Prussia
a region that emerged as a new Protestant power
Frederick William I
a Prussian ruler who came to power upon the death of his father in 1713; increased his own control
Frederick II
boldly seized Silesia from Austria, sparking the War of the Austrian Succession; continued to brilliantly use his disciplined army, forcing all to recognize Prussia as a great power
What were some effects of the Peace of Westphalia?
France gained land, the Hapsburgs lost land, the Netherlands and Swiss Federation gained independence, and the German lands were even more divided
What caused the War of the Austrian Succession?
Maria Theresa's succession to the throne and Frederick II's invasion of Silesia
How did Frederick William increase his power?
He controlled the Junkers, created an efficient bureaucracy, and established a strong army
What were the two main rivalries after 1750?
England and France; Austria and Prussia
