HIS103 Lecture 7

Why did we start with the 30 Years War?

The reason of France to enter the war (Raison Dtat) is the core of the
state system.
The Age of Exploration occurred before the 1600s. Trade began before
this the time we cover in the course. It was more trade than strategy.
Up until the early 1700s, the Europeans are looking to expand and thus
they trade overseas and internationally.
In the 1700s there are at least 17 (including the War of Spanish
Succession) more recognized wars.

Wars help rulers gain a monopoly on armed force.

The necessity for states to have some sort of system for gathering
taxes to pay for these armed forces.

Rulers use armed force to protect their power home. It can be used within a
country, against citizens. Also, they use armed force to make citizens pay
their taxes.

In the 18th Century:

States operate with a balance of power.
Sweden remains a state but are no longer a large power.
The United Provinces were so important in the 17th century but at this
point they cant maintain themselves as a power.
Poland is no longer a state in this century.
France, Britain, Austria, Prussia, and Russia are the 5 main
players in the 18th century (these are very different states, but they
share the concepts of a standing army and a bureaucracy)
o Each of these 5 states are strong enough that a shift in one of
them can alter the balance of power.

The Rise of Austria:

The Decline of the Ottoman Empire:

This was a long standing empire, existing for many years, had lots of
land in Europe
Ottoman Empire wants more of European territory
 Even though the ruler of the empire were Muslim, the people of the
empire were not all Muslim and were not required to be. There was
surprisingly toleration for different religions (Muslims, Christians, Jews).
It was not a modern bureaucratic state. Expansion provided resources
and that was it. They relied on expansion.
o Strategical overextension Paul Kennedy
They had a very good military
o Had lots of horses
o Janissary System (infantry system where they took Christian
young people from the Balkans, raised them Muslim, and trained
them for the military)
The Ottoman Society resisted change. They were very conservative.
They believed that the turnouts of war depend on Allah, and changing
anything in the army or the state government would be impious and
with no purpose (because God controls the fate either way).
The Ottomans continued to do what they did for centuries, even when
war and its style was changing in Europe. They are not keeping up with
Musket Infantry.
1683 The Siege of Vienna:
Austria was a principality inside the Holy Roman Empire. Austria
becomes a state and the leader of the state is a Habsburg.
1661 Austrians and Ottomans begin fighting.
1664 Austrians defeat Ottomans at St. Gotthard
Habsburg -Austrians want to take Hungary for themselves.
1667 War of Devolution: (Launched by Louis XIV on behalf of his wife
about Spanish Succession)
Late 1660s: The Magyar people begin secret talks with the Sultan.
Hungarians and Ottomans propose a deal. Hungarians will Give
Ottomans money, Hungarians will have independent foreign policy,
Ottomans will protect Hungary from Austria.
1671 - Leopold (HRE) invades Hungary
1682 - Ottomans decide that its time to strike Austria. Kara Mustafa
leads Ottoman army against Habsburg.
Louis XIV supports the Ottomans. This is viewed as a war of Christian
Europe vs. Muslim Europe. Louis XIV was named Turkish
1683 The Siege of Vienna. Ottomans surround Vienna, Emperor flees.
The ottomans send a message to Vienna saying that they may have
free passage if they give up the city. But they dont, so the siege
continues.

Kara Mustafa is strangled as punishment for losing the war.

The result is another long war. Austrians are stuck fighting both the
French and the Ottomans.
 War brings Austria together. The country works together. People agree
to pay taxes, etc.
Austria is another strong power brought out of war.
The Ottoman Empire accept a humiliating peace and not risk their
power back at home. They refuse to change anything in their military
and advance with the rest of the world.
1699 Peace of Karlowitz: Gives Hungary to the Austrians.
The Ottomans seek a bit of outside help. They bring a French rogue
commander to stabilize their territory, but thats it. They decide to lay
low for the rest of the century.
This is the first time since the 1300s that European countries are not
experiencing Ottoman threat.
Peace of 1719 Peace of Passarowitz