Chapter 18: The Balance of Power in Eighteenth-Century Europe

  • The War of Spanish Succession ended due to the Treaty of Utrecht   * Austria got the Spanish Netherlands and Spanish territories in Italy   * France got territory in both Alsace and Lorraine and gave up colonial property in the Americas   * England got France’s North American colonies, Gibraltar and Island of Minorca, and Spanish trade routes to the Americas
  • The Great Northern War between Russia and Sweden over Finland and the Balitc territories was ended by the Treaty of Nystad 1721   * Russia got territory in the Baltic territory (built St. Petersburg)   * Seden lost land in Finland, Northern Germany, and the Baltic states
  • Through its victory over Sweden, Russia became an established power under the leadership of Peter the Great
  • In Russia a educational reform was instituted to support the military and embraced liberal education   * Russia led all the other nations by 1726 in the production of iron and copper
  • 97% of the Russian population was connected to agriculture to make a living   * Land quality was poor for agriculture
  • Peasants were seen as property as of 1649 (serfs)   * Many serfs were seeking better conditions through moving to state sponsored lands and projects
  • The government was in chaos for 37 years after Peter the Great
  • The population increased, as did aristocratic wealth and power   * The government got weaker
  • Catherine the Great’s reign started with the death of her husband, Peter III   * Restructured the government   * Charter of the Nobility (1785)
  • A modern Russian military developed under both Peter and Catherine
  • The unity of the Holy Roman Empire had been destroyed by the 30 Years War   * Two empires rose to power due to this: Austria and Prussia
  • Prussia   * Built a powerful military due to poor natural barriers and being surrounded by powerful possible conquerors   * Increased centralization of state   * Abolished torture and capital punishment   * Imported new agricultural techniques   * Became a major power
  • Austria   * Grew as a result of the Spanish War of Succession   * Pushed back the Ottomans by expanding into Hungary   * Looked powerful from the outside, but in reality could only come up with a small and poorly equipped army
  • Maria Theresa (1740-1780)   * Attacked by Prussia   * Defended Austria in War of Austrian Succession and Seven Years War   * Played a role in reforming and strengthening Austrian society   * Reorganized military and civil bureaucracy
  • War of Austrian Succession (1740-1748)   * Frederick William II tried to force an alliance with Maria Theresa, which she declined, leading to him attacking   * Prussia, Spain, and France vs. Austria, Holland, and England   * Made Austria and Prussia enemies and rivals that sought to unite Germany under their leadership
  • Seven Years War (1756-1763)   * Britain and Prussia vs. France, Russia, and Austria   * Saxony and Austria were attacked by Fredrick William II, with Russia coming to their defense   * Russia defeated Prussia at Battle of Kunersdorf (1759)   * Peter III tried to settle for peace upon death of the Empress of Russia, leading to his assassination   * Prussia was established as a major military power   * A large period of peace in Central Europe began (due to a lack of resources)
  • The power of the Polish nobility was intact with the Polish Diet proving to be ineffective as a source of lawmaking   * Government failed to raise an effective army
  • Poland was partitioned by Russia, Prussia, and Austria in 1722   * Russia received a large buffer state   * Prussia received the Polish corridor   * Austria received a large territory in southern Poland
  • In 1707 Scotland and England joined together to form Great Britain   * Had great military power, economic power, and governmental system
  • Great Britain had a mixed governmental system   * Power was shared by the King and Parliament
  • Structure of Great Britain   * Houses of Commons   * Monarchy   * House of Lords
  • The British governmental system depended on cooperation   * Parliament members often worked for the crown while serving in Parliament   * Rise of Parties: Whigs and Tories     * Helped build consensus and compromise which allowed the government to function more effectively   * “Prime Ministers” became popular     * Helped organize and lead Parliament

\