Major European Borders in 1698
History Behind the Major Border Changes
In 1655, Sweden invaded the territory controlled by Poland-Lithuania, and successfully gained occupation of a substantial portion of land in the west of the country. This rapid and fierce advance by the Swedes caused the Polish-Lithuanian armies to almost immediately surrender, while the Polish King retreated out of country. The occupation of Poland-Lithuania by the Swedes lasted five years, taking a major toll on both the Polish-Lithuanian people and the state itself. This occupation proved to be the catalyst for the fall of the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth, as the nation was socially, economically, and culturally devastated under Swedish rule.
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Establishing control of the eastern bank of the Sound, Sweden was able to successfully gain formal recognition of its southeastern territories by the other European powers in the 1660 Treat of Olivia. Because of this recognition however, the Swedish state was prohibited from any further expansion into central Europe.
Expansion of Sweden in the North
The growth of the English state in the 17th century can largely be attributed to the Union of the Crowns and the accession of Scottish King James VI to the throne of England in 1603. This accession facilitated the unification of Scotland and England under one monarch. This union sparked a series of armed conflicts between the factors of Parliamentarians and the Royalists that occurred between the years 1642 and 1651. These conflicts pitted the supporters of the new English King Charles I against the supporters of the Parliament. The civil war ended with a victory for the Parliamentarians at the Battle of Worcester in 1651. This victory led to the execution of King Charles I, and the replacement of the English Monarchy with the Commonwealth in 1653.
Growth of the English State
It was the period between the 16th and 17th centuries that was known as ‘The Golden Age of Spain”. The marriage between Isabella I and Ferdinand II produced a Habsburg grandson in Charles I. Charles one inherited both the Castilian Empire, as well as the Aragon territories in the Mediterranean (this included a substantial portion of land that is now modern-day Italy). In addition to these lands, Charles I was also able to secure many small territories in Germany, along with territory in the Low Countries, territory west of France, and Austrian land. It was because of this expansion of control over Europe that the Spanish Empire was born, and enjoyed its success up until the mid-17th century.
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The Battle of Rocroi in 1643 is historically the point when Spanish dominance in Europe ended. In the second half of the 17th century, the Spanish Empire was in complete decay, and had totally stagnated in growth. This fall in dominance directly coincided with the rise in power of a number of Western European countries such as England and France.
The Rise and Fall of the of the Spanish Habsburgs
Major National Figures
Philip IV's reign in Spain was notable mainly for the political and military deterioration behind the decline of the Spanish Empire. After his death in 1665, the Spanish Empire had reached nearly 12 million square kilometers in total area. Despite this, nearly all other respects of the empire were in total decline. Philip himself attributed this decay to his own inability to attain domestic and military reform.
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Phillip IV, of Spain
Charles I of England
Charles was accused of treason against England and its people by using his power to pursue personal interest instead of those of the people and country. Charles was out to death by beheading on the 30th of January 1649. Out of his death, the English Commonwealth was born.
Charles X Gustav, King of Sweden
Charles X Gustav, also Carl Gustav, was King of Sweden from 1654 until his death in 1660. He was the ruler during the Swedish invasion of Poland-Lithuania, as was largely responsible for the expansion of Sweden in the 17th century.