Asch, The Thirty Years War, 47-149.
In this class, we will survey the key political, diplomatic, and military developments of the Thirty Years War period. Pay close attention to these developments in the assigned reading. Avoid browsing in Asch's book without understanding what was going on. Admittedly, the Thirty Years War was highly complex, but complexity is the stuff of history (and of life). As historians, we should not allow ourselves to become overwhelmed by historical complexity or excuse ourselves from understanding the main developments of the Thirty Years War because they are "too difficult." Nor should we "shoot the messenger" by vaguely blaming Asch for doing a bad job of outlining the War. Obviously, any scholar's writing is open to criticism, and when we criticize we must be constructive and precise. I found that Asch guided readers through the War with sufficient clarity.
One way of mastering the material is to keep abreast of what the main players were up to in each chapter. That means a focus on the Emperor, the German princes (especially Saxony and Bavaria), Spain, France, and in Chapter 3 England. Consider the questions below. They will be the basis of our class discussions.
The Bohemian Crisis: What were the origins of the rebellion in Bohemia? Why did Frederick V fail and Ferdinand II succeed? What characterized the "Catholic Triumph," and what effect did it have on the Empire? Why was the peace that was the result of the Catholic Triumph a deceptive one?
1629: Think of Chapter 3 in the context of the situation in Germany and in Europe as well as of the entire assigned reading. Do you agree with Asch's assessment that 1629 marked a turning point or watershed in the War? Why or why not? Why did the Edict of Restitution turn out to be a great miscalculation? Could the Emperor have foreseen its difficulties? You should know who the Count of Mansfeld and Wallenstein were.
1630s: Why did Sweden enter the War? What brought about the Peace of Prague? Do you think that the Peace of Prague represented "a decisive step towards the transformation of the Empire into an absolute monarchy"? Why did France declare war? You should know who Oxenstierna, Richelieu, and Olivares were. You should also know the significance of Battles of Breitenfeld and Nördlingen, and the attack on Trier.
Making peace: The efforts to negotiate peace formally began in 1645. In what military and political situation did the Emperor, German princes, France, Spain, and Sweden find themselves in 1645? What were their objectives in negotiating peace? To what extent did they achieve their objectives? What helped or hindered the achievement of objectives?
Concluding questions: While considering the significant developments in the War, we need to think of these within the context of general interpretations of the War. Does the information in Chapters 2-5 support Asch's intepretation of the War? Is the information compatible with the interpretations of Gutmann and Sutherland?
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