Lands of the Bohemian Crown (1526–1648)

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Main article: Lands of the Bohemian Crown
Lands of the Bohemian Crown
Země Koruny české (cs)
Länder der Böhmischen Krone (de)
Corona regni Bohemiae (la)
  • 1526–1648
    (historical period)
Flag of Bohemian Crown
Flag
Coat of arms of Frederick I of Bohemia (1619-1620) of Bohemian Crown
Coat of arms of
Frederick I of Bohemia
(1619-1620)
Latin
Religion
GovernmentConfederate hereditary monarchy (1619–1620)
King 
• 1526–1564
Ferdinand I (first Habsburg on the throne)
• 1619–1620
Frederick I
History 
• 
Treaty of Westphalia
1648
Preceded by		 Succeeded by
Bohemian Crown under Jagiellons
Bohemian Crown under Habsburgs
Today part of

Although the

Habsburg rule, they followed different paths of development. Moravians and Silesians had accepted the hereditary right of the Austrian Habsburgs to rule and thus escaped the intense struggle between native estates and the Habsburg monarchy that was to characterize Bohemian history.[1] In contrast, the Bohemian Kingdom had entrenched estates that were ready to defend what they considered their rights and liberties.[1] The Habsburgs pursued a policy of centralization and conflict arose, which was further complicated by ethnic and religious issues.[1]

History of the Lands of the Bohemian Crown (1526–1648)

Initial clashes (16th century)

Religious fragmentation in Central Europe at the outbreak of the Thirty Years' War (1618).

Habsburg rule brought two centuries of conflict between the Bohemian estates and the monarchy.

Hussitism), and even the widespread use of the Czech language.[1] The Habsburg policy of centralization began with its first ruler, King Ferdinand (1526–64).[1] His efforts to eliminate the influence of the Bohemian estates were met with resistance.[1] But the Bohemian estates were themselves divided, primarily on religious lines.[1] By several adroit political maneuvers, Ferdinand was able to establish hereditary succession to the Bohemian crown for the Habsburgs.[1] The estates' inability to establish the principle of electing or even confirming a monarch made their position considerably weaker.[1]

The conflict in Bohemia was complicated further by the

Calvinist); the Hussites split, and one faction allied with the German Protestants.[1] In 1537, Ferdinand conceded to the Czechs, recognized the Compacts of Basel, and accepted moderate Utraquism.[1] The reconciliation, however, was of brief duration.[1]

In 1546 German Protestants united in the

Jesuit Academy in Prague and by bringing Jesuit missionaries into Bohemia.[1]

Battle of White Mountain

Main article: Battle of White Mountain
The Battle of White Mountain

Discord between Habsburgs and Czechs and between Catholics and the followers of the reformed creeds erupted again into an open clash in the early seventeenth century.

Matthias (1612–17), proved to be an ardent Catholic and quickly moved against the estates.[1] Violation of promises contained in the Letter of Majesty regarding royal and church domains and Matthias's reliance on a council composed of ardent Catholics further increased tensions.[1]

In 1618 two Catholic imperial councillors were thrown out of a window of

Frederick of the Palatinate, to the Bohemian throne.[1] Frederick then tried to muster further support for the Bohemian cause, even attempting to convince the Ottoman Empire to provide military support in exchange for tribute.[2] On November 8, 1620, the Czech estates confronted the imperial forces in the Battle of White Mountain near Prague and were decisively defeated.[1]

Consequences of the defeat (1620–1648)

The Czech defeat at the Battle of White Mountain was followed by measures that effectively secured Habsburg authority and the dominance of the Roman Catholic Church.[1] Many Czech nobles were executed; most others were forced to flee the kingdom.[1] An estimated five-sixths of the Czech nobility went into exile soon after the Battle of White Mountain, and their properties were confiscated.[1] Large numbers of Czech and German Protestant burghers emigrated.[1] In 1622, Charles University was merged with the Jesuit Academy, and the entire education system of the Bohemian Kingdom was placed under Jesuit control.[1] In 1624 all non-Catholic priests were expelled by royal decree.[1]

The Revised Ordinance of the Land (1627) established a legal basis for Habsburg absolutism.[1] All Czech lands were declared hereditary property of the Habsburg family.[1] The German language was made equal to the Czech language.[citation needed] The legislative function of the diets of both Bohemia and Moravia was revoked; all subsequent legislation was to be by royal decree, receiving only formal approval from the diets.[1] The highest officials of the kingdom, to be chosen from among the local nobility, would be strictly subordinate to the king.[1] Thus, little remained of an autonomous and distinct Bohemian Kingdom.[1]

Habsburg rule was further buttressed by the large-scale immigration into Bohemia of

Catholic Germans from south German territories.[1] The Germans received most of the land confiscated from Czech owners and came to constitute the new Bohemian nobility.[1] The remaining Czech Catholic nobles gradually abandoned Czech particularism and became loyal servants of the imperial system.[1] German Catholic immigrants took over commerce and industry as well.[1]

The religious wars continued after the Czech defeat.

Bethlen Gabor's Hungarian forces, reinforced by Turkish mercenaries, fought against the emperor and periodically devastated Slovakia and Moravia.[1] Protestant German armies and, later, Danish and Swedish armies, laid waste the Czech provinces.[1] Cities, villages, and castle fortresses were destroyed.[1] Lusatia was incorporated into Saxony in 1635.[1]

In 1648 the

Treaty of Westphalia confirmed the incorporation of the Bohemian Kingdom into the Habsburg imperial system, which established its seat in Vienna.[1] The Bohemian Kingdom de facto lost its independence (de jure only under Maria Theresa).[citation needed
]

Legacy

Part of a series on the
History of the Czech lands
REGNUM BOHEMIA, ANNEXAE PROVINCIAE, UT DUCATUS SILESIA, Marchionatus MORAVIA, et LUSATIA- quae sunt TERRAE HAEREDITARIAE IMPERATORIS
Early history
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Czechs call the following period, from 1620/1648 till the late 18th century, the "Dark Age".[

Germanization; and economic and political decline.[citation needed] The struggle between the Bohemian estates and Habsburg absolutism resulted in the complete subordination of the Bohemian estates to Habsburg interests.[1] In the aftermath of the defeat at White Mountain, the Czechs lost their native noble class, their reformed religion, and a vibrant Czech Protestant culture.[1] The German language became more prominent in government and polite society.[1]

The Kingdom of Bohemia became little more than a province of the Habsburg realm.[citation needed]

After the Thirty Years' War (1618 and 1648), from the original 2.6 million inhabitants of Bohemia and Moravia, there remained approximately 950,000 inhabitants in Bohemia and only 600,000 inhabitants in Moravia.[citation needed]

See also

References

  1. ^
    OCLC 45379492. Public Domain This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.{{cite encyclopedia}}: CS1 maint: postscript (link
    )
  2. ISBN 9780674036345
    . Retrieved 2013-09-18.
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