1. In shaping the course of the Thirty Years’ War, the relative importance was influenced both by religious rivalries such as the threats proposed between Calvinism and Catholicism, and dynastic ambitions like the desire to confront the threats of the growing Hapsburg power and the vision to expand one’s own power within the empire.
a. Threat to Calvinism:
(1) The Peace of Augsburg excluded Calvinism= sparked tension
(2) When Ferdinand succeed the throne he refused to honor Rudolf II’s promise for Protestant toleration (result = Defenestration of Prague)
(3) Bohemians then declared Ferdinand deposed and replaced him with Fredrick II (Calvinist) and he accepted the crown= act of defiance/ sparked anger in Catholics
b. Threat of Hapsburg Power
(1) France and Sweden joined an alliance in attempt to weaken Hapsburg power
(2) Cardinal Richelieu brings in France alone to weaken Hapsburg power
(3) Both Catholic and Protestant princes went against the Hapsburgs by dismissing Wallenstein in 1630 to protect their independence
c. Desire to expand one’s own power
(1) The prince’s forced Ferdinand to have Albrecht von Wallenstein executed after recalling for his assistance at the Battle of Lützen because they wanted to have no threat against their independence so that they could have more influence in the empire.
(2) Cardinal Richelieu also wanted to take over the province of Alsace from the HRE
(3) Richelieu also wanted to plot against the Spanish Hapsburg king Philip IV in order to increase his own influence
3. Within the succession of James I and the Glorious Revolution, the role of Parliament in England was presented with a series of alterations including being neglected due to the idea of ruling by absolutism, being diminished altogether by Oliver Cromwell, and finally being restored and receiving it’s power back by William of Orange.
a. absolutism
(1) James I believes that he is given power from God directly and tries to impose absolutism upon his rule, thus limiting the powers of Parliament
(2) James’s son, Charles I, agreed to abide by the Petition of Rights but then broke promise and ordered Parliament dissolved.
(3) Charles I= constantly at war so needs money so asks Parliament but he won’t redress grievances so civil war begins
b. Oliver Cromwell
(1) during civil war, they execute Charles I and Cromwell becomes master of England and the Rump Parliament rules.
(2)when Rump Parliament refuses to enact his reforms he dissolves it.
(3) Cromwell rules by military dictatorship without a Parliament and could never put his ideas into practice due to him ignoring realities
c. William of Orange
(1) Charles I was called to be king and did a good job and created the “Cavalier” Parliament but his successor James II dismissed Parliament and ruled alone
(2) however 7 members of Parliament invite William of Orange and Mary of Holland to come be the monarchs and James II flees
(3) William of Orange approve the Bill of Rights which gave Parliament the power to make and levy taxes and it also created a constitutional monarch
4. From the time of Elizabeth I’s death and the Glorious Revolution, both the theory and practice of the monarchy evolved from being a monarchy under the theory of absolutism with James I and Charles I, to dictatorship with Cromwell with the theory of having influential military power, back to monarchies with theories closer to that of a constitutional government.
a. absolutism monarchy
(1) coming from James I, both rulers believe that they rule under “divine right” under God’s influence
(2) James I tries to dissolve the Parliament but has to fall back on it in order to get money for war
(3) Charles I actually does dissolve it and collected illegal taxes b. military dictatorship (1) Cromwell actually brought back a form of parliament called the Rump Parliament for a short time (2) when the Rump Parliament did not agree with his reforms, Cromwell dissolved it and declared himself a military dictator (3) Ruled through 11 major generals who was responsible for a different district and they were required to follow his requests c. reviving monarchies (1) Charles II restored parliament through his “Calalier” Parliament (2) James II dismissed this parliament (3) William of Orange and Mary of Holland are brought in and sign the Bill of Rights, creating a constitutional monarchy
2. The 30 years’ war represented a momentous turning point in history, as Protestantism gained new allowances while the power of Roman Catholic church dwindled, France and politique rulers replaced Spain as the leading power, and leaders such as Gustavus Adolphus made great military advancements.
6. Both Spain and the Dutch Republic experienced a great decline, and, while Spain had much more power than the Dutch Republic, they both failed for many of the same economic reasons. While the Dutch experienced issues with loss of specialized industries and unity, Spain made mistakes through the backfiring of colonial efforts and the expulsion of Muslims and Jews. However, both lost a considerable amount of money through war, loss of trade revenue, and crashing markets. 1. Dutch a. lost unity due to economic imbalance, as Holland paid the bulk of taxes and army supplies b. England took over glassblowing and textiles, and shipping, decreasing revenue c. Fish industry declines, decreasing revenue 2. Spanish a. lost the revenue from taxing the Netherlands after the dutch revolt b. expelled jews and muslims, who were intellectual and economic supporters c. Philip II spent a lot of the gold and silver, as did many other incompetent Spanish monarchs 3. Both a. lost money from wars b. loss of trade c. crash of markets