Key Terms – Hapsburgs and Hohenzollerns

1. Frederick I Frederick William Frederick the Great Maria Theresa Seven Years' War Treaty of Paris Key Terms – Hapsburgs and Hohenzollerns • Central Europe • Poland • Ottoman Empire • Holy Roman Empire • The Hapsburgs • Charles VI • Pragmatic Sanction • Prussia • The Hohenzollerns

2. Central Europe at a Glance

3. Central Europe • Central Europe was composed of three weak empires and two massive ones. • All of these empires lagged behind the Western European Empires of France, Britain, Spain and Portugal. • These empires sought to build land empires rather than empires by sea. • Most of the smaller empires would absorb each other or grow stronger via alliance.

4. The Ottoman Empire • Had reached its greatest height under the reign of Suleiman the Magnificent • Held territories ranging from the Middle East to Hungary at its height. • Its last, best chance to govern over Europe was turned away in Vienna in the 17th Century

5. The Holy Roman Empire • Consisted of 300 smaller states that refused unification for a large period of time • Would attempt to be unified under Prussian rule initially but would be turned away • Territory was rich in resources but the lack of unity caused this empire to fall apart slowly after the Wars of Religion

6. Poland • Country that was considered weak due to its poor and inefficient government system • Country was run by diets (small legislatures) and their rulers were selected from outside of the country to prevent the nobility from gaining too much power.

7. The Hapsburgs • Ruled Austria since the 1400's • Controlled many different ethnic and religious groups • Would be able to control all of the people within Austria because of the constant dynastic rule of the Hapsburgs

8. Charles VI • Presided over Austria during the War of Spanish Succession • Was able to acquire new territories in Belgium which led to the division of Austria into three different territories: • Austria • Bohemia • Hungary

9. Charles VI and the Hapsburgs • With his health failing, Charles sought to ensure that the Hapsburg dynasty would continue its rule in Austria • Considering his only heir was a female, Maria Theresa, many countries refused her rule and threatened to secede from the empire • Charles VI would force these areas and countries to sign the Pragmatic Sanction • Legally gave Maria Theresa control over all Hapsburg landholdings and clearly stated her as queen of the Austrian kingdom

10. Prussia • Built by the Hohenzollern dynasty • Greatest landholding was Brandenburg • Ruling prince of Prussia was one of seven electors who selected the Holy Roman Emperor • Prussia would be built on the backs of its strong rulers and would become future Germany

11. Frederick I (1701-1713) • Would be the first king of the Kingdom of Prussia • Was responsible for building up Prussia's infrastructure • Would have E. Prussia recognized as a kingdom • Would consolidate all other Prussian landholdings under the name Prussia

12. Frederick William I (1713-1740) • Known as the soldier-king • Believed that the military was the most important aspect of Prussia that needed to be built up • Would form alliances with other countries to prevent using his own troops • Managed to avoid being involved in any wars and left a surplus of money in the treasury upon his death.

13. Frederick II “the Great” (1740-1786, technically.) • Was considered an enlightened despot • Oversaw the largest growth of power in Prussia • Was responsible for acquiring Silesia from Austria and Maria Theresa • Oversaw the First Partition of Poland along with Maria Theresa and Catherine the Great

14. Maria Theresa, (1745-1780) • Held numerous titles after the death of her father Charles VI up to and including Holy Roman Empress, Archduchess of Austria, Queen of Bohemia, Croatia, Saxony and other countries • Her reign was repudiated by other countries including France which led to the War of Austrian Succession • Had sixteen children including Marie Antoinette

15. The Austrian Invasion • Upon acceding to the throne, Maria Theresa would be attacked by Frederick the Great • Frederick would be joined by other countries, including France, in his attempt to remove Maria Theresa from power and claim portions of Austria • Maria Theresa would ask Hungary for assistance and would manage to only lose Silesia to Prussia via the Treaty of Aix-La Chapelle

16. The Seven Years' War • The Seven Years' War would begin and involve practically all of the major powers in the world. • It would be known as the French and Indian War as well over in North America • The war would begin due to issues between Britain and France over colonial landholdings and Prussia and Austria over the Prussian invasion and attempts to acquire Silesia • The British would ally with Prussia, while the Austrians would ally with the French

17. Results of the Seven Years' War • The Treaty of Paris would end the fighting between France and Britain • Britain acquires New France and takes away portions of France's overseas empire in Asia • The Treaty of Hubertusburg ended the fighting between Austria and Prussia • Prussia retains Silesia