The Thirty Years War

The Thirty Years' War (1618–1648) was a series of wars principally fought in Central Europe, involving most of the countries of Europe. It was one of the longest and most destructive conflicts in European history, and one of the longest continuous wars in modern history.
The origins of the conflict and goals of the participants were complex and no single cause can accurately be described as the main reason for the fighting. Initially, it was fought largely as a religious war between Protestants and Catholics in the Holy Roman Empire, although disputes over internal politics and the balance of power within the Empire played a significant part.

Introduction
3

1
Prerequisites of beginning war


The political situation in Europe on the eve of war
4

Policy of the leading states of Europe
7

2
Periods of Thirty Years War
2.1 The Bohemian Revolt (1618–1621)

9

2.2. Danish intervention (1625–1629)
12

2.3. Swedish intervention (1630–1635)
13

2.4. French intervention (1635–1648)
15

3
The end and consequences of the Thirty Years War


3.1. The results of the war
17

2.4. Peace of Westphalia
19


Conclusion
22


References