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)