n.b. We will be trying something new now. Rather than starting the AMA tomorrow as scheduled, we will be collecting questions and answering tomorrow. So please do not be upset if you haven't had your question answered until tomorrow as we will be waiting until around 10 EST on the 21st of Dec.
After the Thirty Years War, Central and Eastern Europe are quiet. With a terribly destructive war that still lives in the memory of Germans today, the other half of Europe is quiet while France and Britain start their Second Hundred Years War. In this time, we see something else, a rise of Kingdoms rather than nations.
In Central Europe, we see the Habsburgs change. From their multi-kingdom “empire”, they lose their hegemony and suffer a succession crisis that will allow them to strengthen the Austrian Empire. While they fight to hold on to what they have, another power rises to their north.
Mighty Prussia comes from the ashes of the Thirty Years War, renewed by 1700, Prussia will develop an army that will become feared and the model of warfare until the rise of Revolutionary France and Napoleon. While this military system pushes the world away, Prussia starts to chip away at the power and authority of the Holy Roman Empire.
While Prussia rises, Sweden falls. Strong at the end of the Thirty Years War, Sweden will be the major regional power until they push themselves too hard. While down, they’re not out and remain a major regional power that will rise again after the Napoleonic Era.
With the three major powers of Europe, another rises in the model of Europe. With Peter, Russia will go from a minor regional power to one of the greatest European powers of both the era and of all time. While Prussia has fallen, Sweden has lost Finland, and Austria lost her Empire, Russia would endure.
With this, we invite you to ask questions about these four powers.
Here we have:
/u/DonaldFDraper: While my focus is normally in France, the Austrian crown becomes a close ally of France in the later end of the 18th century. Thus I will focus on larger and broader Austrian political history and on the reign of Joseph II. If necessary I will help with Prussia as well.
/u/Itsalrightwithme: My main interest in Early Modern Europe, including the Spanish and Austrian Habsburg empires, and their dominions in Europe and elsewhere. I am happy to answer questions on how Habsburg Austria pivoted its strategic outlook in the 17th and 18th centuries.
/u/k_hopz Is also an Austria focus.
/u/Lubyak focuses on Pre-Revolutionary Austria.
/u/TenMinuteHistory is normally focused on Soviet ballet but has agreed to help with Imperial Russia.
/u/Fandorin has also agreed to discuss Imperial Russia
/u/treebalamb is also here for Imperial Russia.
/u/Facepoundr has also agreed to discuss Imperial Russia
/u/elos_ normally focuses on modern France & Prussia but will focus on Early Modern Prussia here.
Finally, we have our resident Swede, /u/Vonadler whom will talk about Sweden’s role in the world.
Please ask questions concerning Central and Eastern Europe from 1648 till 1789, between the Thirty Years War and the start of the French Revolution.
Hiya, folks! Thanks for doing this AMA.
I have three questions - two military and one social. The first concerns the impact of Gustavian reforms on the militaries of Europe, and the second concerns the perceived decline of the military of France ~1670-1770. The final question concerns the impact of the 30 Years War on society in Germany.
So, firstly, to those of you writing about militaria: The 30 Years War saw sweeping changes in the composition and strategies governing armies, in no small part due to adaptations and refinements implemented by Gustaf Adolph's Swedish Empire. Firstly and more generally, how widely were Gustavian style reforms embraced by other European Powers?
Secondly, and in the specific case of France, the French army under Louis XIV was famed for its capabilities, but my understanding is that the army suffered a decline in capabilities and prestige throughout the late 17th and early 18th centuries. If this perception is correct, what factors lead to this decline?
Finally, and on a different tack: From my experiences studying Germany, the aftermath of the 30 Years War and the destruction it wrought appears to be an integral part of the development of many German states. How did the 30 Years War manifest itself in the cultural identity of Germans in the century following the end of the conflict? Do we see discussion of the impact of the war in literature, art or other cultural outlets? Was there any cultural emphasis on commemorating the war and/or avoiding repetition of its destruction?
Many thanks!
Edit: upon review, I realise that questions about France fall outside the scope of this AMA. Apologies if fielding them was inappropriate, and I'll happily remove them if need be.
Thanks for doing this AMA. I just have a few questions regarding Sweden. What caused Sweden to become a great power? What militarily made them stand out? How did they compare against other great powers, ex. Austria, France?
This is a more "meta" question.
What is a Great Power exactly? Who came up with the concept? Were the Ottomans ever considered to be a Great Power?
You talk about Sweden as a declining power, but what about the decline and eventual dissolution of Poland-Lithuania?
How was a major player that largely stayed out of the 30 years war (if not other conflicts, particularly with Moscovy and Sweden) grew weaker over the period - would Poland-Lithuania not be in a 'better' starting position than say Prussia?
How useful is this example as a counter point in examining the 'rise' of neighbouring great powers?
To what extent is the land-grab of Poland-Lithuania a driver for the growth in the rising great powers in Eastern Europe?
Turns out I can't format to save my life.
Its pretty well known that Maria Teresa hated Frederick the Greats guts with the burning passion of a large sun. But what about Joseph II and his successor and brother Leopold? Did they share their mothers resentment for Prussia and Fredrick II, or since they were young children during the war with Prussia did it not leave much of an impression on them? Thank you!
Was there such thing as a "Pan-German Identity" in the 16th-18th centuries, or was this mostly a product of the 19th century? If so, how did it compare to that of the Wilhelmine era onwards, and if not, how did the various Germanic-speakers view their relation to each other?
Ok, so first things first, thanks for doing this AMA!
Now let's get down to business, but before asking my question I want to explain why I'm asking it. So basically my history professor (a person who I admire and think very highly of) used to tell us that in Imperial Russia an actual bourgeoisie never came to be, unlike in England, France or The Netherlands. So my question is, how true is this statement? And if it is, was there a social class in Russia that even remotely resembled the bourgeoisie?
And last but not least, why did this social class not exist in Russia (if it didn't exist)?
EDIT: To clarify, I mean during Peter the Great's reign.
Will you do an AMA about America's involvement in the war as well?
I would like to ask a rather broad question: What were the main reasons that resulted an Austrian dominance over German hinterland before Prussia? Only the Habsburg connection seems like not enough to me.
Also, for Russia was it possible an earlier expansion towards Balkans and Ottoman Empire land's without confronting Great Britain?
Might as well ask since it seems so obvious. For those of you who have played it, what is your opinion on empire total war? I am more curious about if it does the overall strategic situation justice, or is a fantasy scenario thought up by game designers.