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

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