The fight for Europeans dominance
The Thirty Years' War
Conflicts between the most important European monarchies
Continued as they tried to achieve dominance
There was a period of peace until 1618
When the Thirty Years began
This was the most important conflict of the century
It began in the Holy Roman Empire for religious reasons
The conflict was between Catholics and Protestants
The firstphase of the war ended with a catholic victory
In 1621
The Twelve Truce between the Hispanic Monarchy
And the Dutch Republic ended.
The Dutch Republic decided to support the rebel
The war with the Hispanic Monarchy was reignited
The Thirty Years War
Was no longer a religious conflict
It became afight to make the Hipanic Monarchy recognise
It was also another struggle for European dominance between
France.
Spain
During this period of the War
The Hispanic armies began to win battles
Such as the one in Corbie
And began to threaten Paris
After many years of war
Hispanic Monarchy suffered decisive defeats the Battle of Downs
And also the Battle of Rocroi
The Peace of Westphalia was signed in 1648
This treaty brought a series of major changes in Europe
The most important being:
The right to religious freedom in the Holy Roman Empire
This meant that emperors could not longer impose
Their religious preferences on the kingdoms of the Empire
A formal recognition of the independence of the Dutch Republic
A modification of the borders of the Holy Roman Empire
As France and Sweden received territories
France and the Hispanic Monarchy
Continued the war until 1659
When the Peace of the Pyrenees was signed
The end of the Hispanic dominacne in Europe was confirmed.
The Thirty Years' War caused great destruction and many deaths.
The French Dominance.
In the second half of the 17th century
Under Louis XIV's reign, there was a period.
Of French dominace.
This aggressive policy resulted in the formation of international
Coalitions against France.