-
Defenestration of Prague
Ferninand II sent nobles to the City of Prague to order the Protestants to turn Catholic. In disagreement, the Protestants threw the nobles out the window. This started the Thirty Years War. -
Destruction of the Swedish Army
The Swedish army invaded Germany and destroyed over two thousand castles, eighteen thousand villages, and fifteen hundred towns. With everything together, Germany lost one-third of its land. -
Peace of Westphalia
The Peace of Westphalia marked the end of the Thirty Years War in 1648. By this date, France had gained territory from Spain and Germany and the Hapsburgs lost their connection to the Holy Roman Emperor. -
Frederick William's Absolutism
In 1713, Fredrick set out to make the German Nobles fall under his control. Fredrick William believed he had a right to kick women in the street and strike men with his cane as king. He married Sophia Dorothea of Hanover and had a son named Frederick. -
The Pragmatic Solution
The Hapsburgs had no successor for the throne after the war. Therefore the king, Charles VI, spent the rest of his life convincing his nobles that his daughter, Maria Theresa, should have the right to the throne. -
King Frederick the Great of Prussia
In 1740, Frederick took his father's place as King of Prussia. He became a great military leader and defeated Maria Theresa's army twice. He became known as Fredrick the Great, in contrast to his father. -
Austrian War of Succession
Maria Theresa becomes empress in 1740, but sparks a war with men that preferred the Salic Law. The war lasted until 1748, when Maria Theresa married, and named her husband king. -
Empress Maria Theresa's Death
Maria Theresa died in 1780, after centralizing the government, starting education reforms, reforming tax codes and expelling Jews from her lands. Her successor was her son, Josepch II. -
Religious Edict of 1788
Enforced by Frederick William II. The Edict legally protected members of different religions from prosecution, even though said religious were not supported by the government. -
Austro-Prussian Alliance
After Frederick the Great's death, his nephew, Frederick William II, took his place. He cooperated with the Holy Roman Emperor, Leopold II, to form the austro-prussian alliance.
