1634-1648...

France was the only successful country from 1632 to 1634. Through negotiations and traeties they were able to occupy some fortresses in Lorraine and parts of the Rhine. Richelieu, the leader of France, continuously negotiated with the Archbishop of Cologne, hoping to bring French troops into Northwestern Germany. From that point on France was able to influence the war between Spain and the Netherlands.

After N�rdlingen, (in 1635) Richelieu was forced to declare war on the emperor to prevent Ferdinand from becoming the absolute master. At the same time, Ferdinand and Philip IV of Spain declared war on France. Because of France's interference, Saxony was inspired to become friends with the emperor. By creating the Treaty of Prague in 1635 they hoped to create peace between all the estates in the empire. Amnesty was to be granted to all who signed the treaty. Most German rulers signed it, some rather unwillingly. Although the war still continued, most people wished only for peace and hoped that the characteristics of government outlined in the Treaty would soon develop.

In 1636 Ferdinand III succeeded his father as emperor.

The emperor, Bavaria and Spain all turned against France. However they were detained until France could round up 50 000 men. The negotiations between Maximillian and France, continuous throughout the war, started up again but had no results. Maximillian and the Habsburgs were eventually forced to take the defensive and had to use most of their resources to prevent the French occupation of Germany.

During the years 1642-1645 the German estates continuously demanded peace. Most of the German territorial rulers made peace with the Emperor. The Protestant church lands in Prague (one of the countries at peace with the rulers) were allowed to remain so. The French declared war on Spain. France took control of Alsace and most of the Rhinelands while the Swedes took over/neutralized most of Germany and took the war back to Bohemia. During the last four years of the war, the parties negotiating in Westphalia. On October 24, 1648, the Peace of Westphalia was signed, ending the Thirty Years War. The Swedes received control over western Pomerania as well as a large cash indemnity. The French received rights over Alsace. The Emperor's control over the German territorial rulers was reduced to a nullity. Private exercise of non- conforming religion was permitted and the organs of government were considered to be religiously neutral. Lands secularized by the Protestants were allowed to remain so. However, in Bohemia and Austria, the Emperor was given free reign to re-impose Catholicism over everyone.

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