Thirty Years War
Definition
The Thirty Years' War was a series of wars fought by various European nations for various reasons including religious, dynastic, territorial and commercial rivalries. Its destructive campaigns and battles occurred over most of Europe from 1618-1648.
Analogy
Think about it like a schoolyard fight that starts between two kids (Catholic and Protestant states) but escalates as more kids (other European powers) join in because they have their own issues with each other. It lasts for what feels like forever (30 years), leaving everyone involved exhausted and battered.
Related terms
Peace of Westphalia: A series of peace treaties signed in 1648 which ended the Thirty Years' War.
Habsburgs: Powerful Catholic royal family who ruled many territories across Europe; key players in the Thirty Years' War.
Defenestration of Prague: An event considered to be the spark that ignited the Thirty Years' War when Bohemian Protestants threw Catholic officials out a window.
"Thirty Years War" appears in:
Additional resources (1)
Practice Questions (5)
- What treaty in 1648 ended the Thirty Years War, reshaping the religious and political map of central Europe?
- Who led Protestant forces during the Thirty Years War?
- Which treaty ended the Thirty Years War and began a new era in international relations?
- Which major factor contributed to the outbreak of the Thirty Years War?
- When did the Treaty of Westphalia, which ended the Thirty Years War and began a new system of political order in central Europe, take place?
Resources
© 2024 Fiveable Inc. All rights reserved.
AP® and SAT® are trademarks registered by the College Board, which is not affiliated with, and does not endorse this website.