The Thirty Years War occurred for a number of reasons, however the Defenestration of Prague, although relatively trivial in itself, was to become a defining moment. The will for the preservation of the [Hapsburg empire]? was also central.
The election of the catholic zealot, [Ferdinand, Archduke of Styria]?, as King of Bohemia caused the Bohemian protestants to fear for their religious freedom and in May 1618, at Hradcany castle, two catholic councillors were thrown from the castle windows. Soon the Bohemian conflict erupted in the entirety of Greater Bohemia, effectively Bohemia, Silesia, Lusatia and Moravia, which was already riven by conflict between catholics and protestants. This confrontation was to find many facets and mirrors across the continent of Europe with the involvement of France, Sweden, inter alia.
The [Battle of the White Mountain]?, near Prague in 1620 was a serious blow to protestant ambitions in the region.
The war started in 1618 and ended with the Peace of Westphalia in 1648.
..to be continued..
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