Lightning AP History

This chapter focuses on the changing political structures of European nations in the 1600-1700s, namely in France, England, Russia, Austria, Germany, and the North. As a reaction to the chaos and devastation of the Religious Wars, European politics began to favor monarchical governments that held tighter control of their governments- including problematic nobles and peasants wishing to revolt. The Thirty Year's War was considered the "last of the religious wars" in Europe, as it shifted power dynamics in northern and central Europe and ended in the decisive Peace of Westphalia, whose effects can still be seen today. The instability of this time, combined with religious "passions" and superstitions, brought out the notorious witch hysteria as Europeans sought a scapegoat, particularly in places touched by the Reformation. Thousands of people, primarily women, were persecuted for alleged witchcraft. In Europe's most powerful states, governments were changing. Absolute monarchies were established in France and Russia, while religious and political conflicts in England combined to create the first constitutional monarchy through the Glorious Revolution. Other European states, such as Spain, Austria, Prussia, the Netherlands, and Poland continued to transform into their modern versions as religious conflict gave way to political games and mercantile greed.