Name Shahab R Class Block 2 Date 10/29/10

CHAPTER
4
SECTION 4
Section Summary
RISE OF AUSTRIA AND PRUSSIA

By the seventeenth century, the Holy Roman Empire had READING CHECK
become a mix of many small, separate states. In theory, the
Who were the great European
Holy Roman emperor, who was chosen by seven leading powers by 1750?
German princes called electors, ruled these states. Yet, the
emperor had little power. This lack of power contributed to a
series of wars that are together called the Thirty Years’ War. It
began when Ferdinand, the Catholic Hapsburg king of
Bohemia, wanted to control Protestants and declare royal
power over nobles. This led to a widespread European war.
The Thirty Years’ War had a terrible effect on the German
states. Mercenaries, or soldiers for hire, burned villages,
destroyed crops, and killed villagers. There was famine and
disease, which caused severe depopulation, meaning popula-
tions were very low.
It was not until 1648 that a series of treaties known as the
VOCABULARY STRATEGY
Peace of Westphalia were set up. These treaties aspired to
bring peace to Europe and sought to settle other problems Find the word aspired in the
underlined sentence. The word
between nations.
strived is a synonym for aspired.
While Austria was becoming a strong Catholic state, one of Apply what you already know
the German states, called Prussia, emerged as a new Protestant about strived to help you learn
power. The Prussian ruler Frederick William I came to power the meaning of aspired.
in 1713. He placed great importance on military values.
In Austria, Maria Theresa became empress following her
father’s death in 1740. That same year, Frederick II of Prussia
seized the Hapsburg province of Silesia. This led to the War of
the Austrian Succession. Maria Theresa could not force
Frederick out of Silesia. She did, however, preserve her empire
and won the support of most of her people. She also strength-
ened Hapsburg power. She reorganized the government and READING SKILL
forced nobles and clergy to pay taxes. Identify Supporting Details
Frederick II continued to use his army to build his coun- What details support the main
try’s strength. His acts made Prussia a leading power. By 1750, idea that the Thirty Years’ War
Austria and Prussia were considered great European powers had a terrible effect on the
along with France, Britain, and Russia. German states?

Review Questions
1. Describe the Holy Roman Empire of the seventeenth century.
It was a mix of many small, separate states and ruled by electors
Of the Holy Roman Emperor, mainly German.

2. How did Maria Theresa strengthen Austria?

She reorganized the government and forced nobles and clergy
To pay taxes.

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