Thirty Years war

Religious differences between the Calvinists, Lutherans, and Catholics caused tension between groups.

As the tensions rose, it cause protestants to illegally convert others to increase their numbers.

A group of protestants threw two of the Catholic king of Bohemia (Ferdinand of Styria)’s officials out the window in Prague (70 ft high). This was known as the Defenestration of Prague. This eventually led to what is known as the Thirty Years War.

Formation of Catholic League (left) and Protestant Union (right) as armies. Armies were prepared and the war had commenced. First Battle was first fought in White Mountain.

Battle of White Mountain (Catholics vs. Protestants. ) ended with the Catholics winning. Victory enabled the house of Habsburg to end constitutional rule in Bohemia and its neighbors and to establish an authoritarian government.

Peace of Westphalia (peace treaty to end the war). The power of German princes was acknowledged and they were given separate lands to rule, and all religions were now legal.