The Hohenzollerns built up their states froma number of small holdings, begining withthe German states of Bradenbrug andPrussia.

Frederick William worried that his son,Frederick, was not military enough torule.

1740, Theresa succeeded her father, justfive months after Frederick II became kingof Prussia.

In 1756, Frederick attackedSaxony, an Austrian ally.

The economy of central Europedeveloped differently from that ofwestern Europe.

Nobles in central Europe held down the serfsbut also blocked the developed of strongknights.

Hapsburgs of Austria took severalsteps to become absolutemonarchs.

Charles VI persuaded other leaders of Europe to sign anagreement that declared that they would recognizeCharles's eldest daughter as the heir to all his Hapsburgterritories.

Ferdinand II was head of the Hapsburg familyand he was future Holy Roman emperor andhe ruled the Czech kingdom of Bohemia.

The thirty years war lasted from 16181648. Thefirst 12 years the Hapsburg army from Austria toSpain crushed the troops hired by the Protestantsprinces.

Gustavus Adolphus and his army of23,000 shifted the tide of war in1630.

Ended the war in 1648.

Recognized Europe as a group of equalindependent states. Most important resultof the Thirty Years' War