Absolutism In Eastern Europe

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Mahmoud Soliman A.P Euro Period 4 Ch. 17 Outline: Absolutism In Central and Eastern Europe I. Warfare and Social Change in Central and Eastern Europe A. Origins of Serfdom 1. During the period from 1050 to 1300, general economic expansion in Eastern Europe characterized by the growth of trade, towns, and population. a) Personal and economic freedom for peasants increases, and serfdom nearly disappeared. b) Eager to attract settlers to sparsely populated lands, the rulers of Eastern Europe offered newcomers economic and legal incentives, providing land o excellent terms and granting greater personal freedom. These benefits were also gradually extended to the local Slavic populations, even…show more content…
The consolidation of serfdom accompanied the growth of estate agriculture, particularly in Poland and Eastern Germany. j) In the 16th century, European economic expansion and population growth resumed after the great declines of the late Middle Ages. k) Prices for agricultural commodities also rose sharply as gold and silver flowed in from the New World. l) Polish and German lords had powerful economic incentives to increase the production of their estates. (1) Lords seized more peasant land for their own estates and demanded more unpaid labor. 6. The re-emergence of Serfdom in Eastern Europe cannot be explained by economic factors alone. m) Western Europe experienced similar agricultural and population decline in the 14th and 15th centuries, but its peasants won better rather than harsher conditions. n) Eastern lords enjoyed much greater political power than did their Western counterparts. (2) In the late Middle Ages, central and Eastern Europe experienced countless wars and general political chaos, which allowed noble landlords to increase their political power. (3) Weak kings were forced to grant political favors to win the nobility’…show more content…
He intervened to support the empire’s oppressed Protestants. He won a brilliant victory at Lutzen. The Swedish victories ended the Hapsburg ambition to unite German states under imperial aurthority. w) The French/International Phase (1635-1648): Started with death of Gustavus Adolphus. Richelieu declared war on Spain in 1635 and again sent military and financial assistance to the Swedes and the German Protestant princes. The French, Dutch, and Swedes supported by Scots, Finns, and German mercenaries, burned, looted, and destroyed German agriculture and commerce. The war lasted so long because neither side had the resources to win a quick, decisive victory. 11. The War ended with the Peace of Westphalia in 1648. The treaty recognized the sovereign, independent states authority of more than 300 German princes. D. Consequences of the Thirty Years’ War. 12. The Thirty Years’ War was probably the most destructive event for the central European economy and society prior to the 20th
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