THE Thirty Years War represented a set of conflicts, of political and religious character, developed between several countries in Europe (France, England, Spain, Portugal, Germany, Denmark, Netherlands, Austria, Sweden) during the years 1618 and 1648.
These battles, which would last for three decades, mainly sought domination in Europe. It began on May 23, 1618, in the region of Bohemia (currently the territory of the Czech Republic) with the invasion of a group of Protestants at the Royal Palace, since they were dissatisfied (with the destruction of Protestant temples, the prohibition of cults, among others) and felt increasingly threatened by the Catholics. This moment, known as the “Defenestration of Prague”, was marked by violence against Catholic King Ferdinand II, who had been thrown through the window of the Royal Palace.
Summary
The Thirty Years War, of a religious and political nature, began after the passage from the Middle Ages to the Modern Age, with the crisis of the feudal system and the Medieval Church, so that the religious power of the Church, had been losing prestige and faithful with the Protestant Reformation, by Martin Luther, in the middle of the century XVI.
In addition, a new social class emerged, the bourgeoisie, which, together with the kings, freed the medieval cities (burgos) from domination. feudal, which later resulted in the formation of national monarchies, strengthening the power and independence of countries. Europeans.
That was how the divergences between the adherents of Catholicism and Protestantism became common at that time, which generated several disputes, for example, between the kingdoms of Holy Roman Empire, with aspiring Catholic and other Protestant princes.
In the meantime, an event that marked one of these religious conflicts was when the Catholic Emperor Rudolf II (1576-1612) advanced against the ideals of the Protestant kingdoms in the Germany, with the destruction of several Churches, which led to the union of Protestant princes and the creation of the "Evangelical League" in 1608, while the Catholics created the "Sacred League" in the year Following.
In addition to their religious character, European countries were committed to conquering territories and developing trade, which certainly it generated several disputes, among which the dynastic war between the Habsburgs, from Austria, and the Bourbons, from France and Navarre, stands out (in the current Spain).
The Habsburgs represented a Germanic dynasty interested in fighting Protestantism in the Holy Empire, while the Bourbon house, heir to the French and Spanish Capetingian dynasties, fought for ideals Protestants. Both fought for the expansion of political and economic dominance.
The end of these conflicts was marked by the fall of the Holy Roman Empire, the fragmentation of Germany, which was defeated and devastated during these years of conflict, while, France acquired great power and relevance on the continent, in addition to conquering the territory of the Alsace-Lorraine. Sweden took the territories of Pomerania, Wismar, Bremen and Werden, and the Netherlands became independent from Spain.
Therefore, on October 24, 1648, the Treaty called the "Peace of Westphalia" was signed, which put an end to conflicts in the European continent, allowing freedom of worship for both religions and ending the struggle for the conquest of territories.
War Periods
The Thirty Years War is divided into four periods, namely:
- Palatine-Bohemia Period (1618-1625)
- Danish Period (1625-1629)
- Swedish Period (1630)
- French Period (1635-1648)
Major Battles of the Thirty Years War
Many conflicts took place during this period. It is estimated that approximately 40 battles took place during these thirty years of conflicts, of which the following stand out:
- Battle of Pilsen (1618)
- Battle of the White Mountain (1620)
- Battle of Fleurus (1622)
- Battle of Lutter am Barenberge (1626)
- Battle of Breitenfeld (1631)
- Battle of Rain (1632)
- Battle of Nordlingen (1634)
- Battle of Wittstock (1636)
- Battle of Rocroi (1643)
- Battle of Fribourg (1644)
- Battle of Jankau (1645)
- Second Battle of Nördlingen (1645)
