Western History 99: What were the various stages of the Thirty Years War?

The Thirty Years War was a conflict that bitterly impacted Central Europe between the years 1618-1648. It created untold hardship and represented at its essence a war between the Hapsburg States and their respective Allies (largely Catholic) and a Protestant opposition that was strategically supported by Catholic France. The war represented the apex of the Religious conflicts that had engulfed Europe since the Reformation of the early sixteenth century.

Five Phases traditionally define the war. These are

• ·         Bohemian Phase (1618-1620) – The largely Protestant state of Bohemia rebel over a dynastic claim against its Hapsburg Rulers (Imperial Forces).  Phase ends with the Imperial victory at the Battle of White Mountain and the attempted reinforcement of Catholic dogma in the area by the Holy Roman Empire.

• ·         Palatinate Phase (1621-1624) – The Protestant struggle shifts to German Palatinate area. Catholic forces are victorious at Fleurus and Stadtlohn. However an anti-Hapsburg alliance is set up by England, France, the United Provinces of the Netherlands, Sweden, Denmark, Savoy, Venice, and Brandenburg to fight Spain and the Holy Roman Emperor.

• ·         Danish Intervention (1625-1630) – The Danish King Christian IV joins in to support Protestant forces who have suffered a serious of setbacks. Catholic League Generals, Wallenstein and Tilly, largely beat back Danish forces who then withdraw from the War.

• ·         Swedish Phase (1630-1635) – The disastrous Siege of Magdeburg sees almost 25,000 Protestants murdered by Imperial forces. The brutal manner of these murders leads to the coining of the term Magdeburg justice (where no quarter is given). The Swedish King Gustavus Adolphus joins in the Protestant struggle. He records victories at Werben, the First Battle of Breitenfeld, Lech and Alte Veste but is held back at Furth. His greatest moment will occur at Lutzen where he will record his most illustrious victory over Wallerstein. However the battle will cost Adolphus his life. Imperial forces will regroup at Nordlingen to a record a critical victory in 1634. This will end the attempt by the Swedes to dominate Germany. Although the Swedes will record a final win at Wittstock.

• ·         French Intervention (1636-1648) – Fearful of the growing Imperial power the French under the political guidance of Cardinal Richelieu ally themselves against the Hapsburg threat. A spectacular French victory is recorded at Rocroi and another at Lens with the Swedes enjoying some success as well against Imperial forces. The War ends in 1648.

The Peace of Westphalia signed in 1648 ended the European Religious wars (of which the Thirty Year’s War was the final stage). Eight million people died as a consequence of turbulent period. The Peace is often seen as the beginning of modern International Politics as it established the Westphalian sovereignty. This formalized the notion that each state had an exclusive sovereignty in its territory. The framework is enshrined in the United Nations. 

The basic tenets of the Westphalia Peace itself though placed at the center the Treaty of Augsburg where all parties agreed that the prince in a particular area had the right to determine the religion of the state.

Fighting between the Holy Roman Empire and France though would continue until 1659 ending with the signing of the Treaty of the Pyrenees.