E.H. 'A Little History of the World' 30. Terrible Times

Summary

In 'A Little History of the World' by Gombrich, Chapter 30 delves into the Thirty Years' War, a period of religious conflict and power struggles in Europe. The war began with the Defenestration of Prague in 1618 and escalated into a brutal conflict involving various European nations. It transformed from a religious dispute into a political and territorial fight, with figures like Wallenstein and Gustavus Adolphus playing pivotal roles. The war ended with the Peace of Westphalia in 1648, leaving Germany devastated and the religious landscape largely unchanged. The chapter also touches on the rise of superstition and witch hunts, contrasting with the scientific advancements of the time, exemplified by Galileo's heliocentric model and the emerging understanding of mathematical laws in nature.

Takeaways

• 📜 The script is from 'A Little History of the World' by E.H. Gombrich, discussing the Thirty Years' War.
• 🔥 The war was a chaotic and brutal conflict between Catholics and Protestants, with motivations becoming increasingly political rather than religious.
• 👑 The Habsburg Emperors of Germany sought to reestablish Catholic dominance but faced strong opposition, leading to the Defenestration of Prague in 1618.
• 🗡️ The war escalated into a massive conflict involving various European powers, with commanders like Wallenstein and Gustavus Adolphus playing significant roles.
• 🇸🇪 Sweden's intervention under Gustavus Adolphus aimed to protect Protestantism and establish a Protestant empire, but his death in 1632 marked a turning point.
• 🇫🇷 France, despite being Catholic, joined the war against the Habsburgs to weaken their power and elevate France's status in Europe.
• 🔮 The war's brutality and the subsequent witch hunts were fueled by widespread superstition and fear, leading to the persecution and execution of many innocent people.
• 🌟 Amidst the turmoil, scientific progress continued with figures like Galileo Galilei, who faced persecution for their ideas but laid the groundwork for modern science.
• 📚 The script highlights the contrast between the dark superstitions of the time and the enlightenment thinking that began to uncover the mathematical laws governing nature.
• ⚖️ The Thirty Years' War ended with the Peace of Westphalia in 1648, which largely restored the pre-war religious and political landscape, showing the futility of the conflict.

Q & A

What event is referred to as the Defenestration of Prague and what was its significance?

The Defenestration of Prague was an event in 1618 where discontented Protestants threw three of the Emperor's Catholic councilors out of a window at Prague Castle. This event, while not causing serious harm to the councilors due to their landing in a pile of manure, signaled the beginning of the Thirty Years' War.

How long did the Thirty Years' War last and what was its impact on the population of Germany?

The Thirty Years' War lasted for thirty years, from 1618 to 1648. Its impact on Germany was devastating, with barely half the population surviving the war. The survivors were destitute, leading many to emigrate or join foreign armies.

Who was Wallenstein and what was his role in the Thirty Years' War?

Wallenstein was a poor country nobleman who served as a commander on the Emperor's side during the Thirty Years' War. He was ambitious and skilled in military strategy, leading his armies to capture Protestant towns and nearly deciding the war in favor of the Emperor and the Catholic Church.

Why did Sweden enter the conflict during the Thirty Years' War?

Sweden, under its ruler Gustavus Adolphus, entered the conflict to rescue the Protestant faith and establish a mighty Protestant Empire under Sweden's leadership. Gustavus Adolphus aimed to counter the Catholic forces and support the Protestant cause.

What was the outcome of the Thirty Years' War in terms of religious territories?

The outcome of the Thirty Years' War left religious territories largely as they were before the war began. What had been Protestant remained Protestant, and the lands controlled by the Emperor, including Austria, Hungary, and Bohemia, remained Catholic.

Why did France join the war, and what was Cardinal Richelieu's strategy?

France joined the war not for religious reasons but to exploit the general confusion and weaken the Habsburg rulers, who were the dominant powers in Europe. Cardinal Richelieu aimed to make France the greatest power in Europe by securing German fortresses and towns near the Rhine for France.

What was the role of superstition and witch hunts during the period of the Thirty Years' War?

During the Thirty Years' War, superstition and fear of witchcraft and sorcery became rampant, leading to widespread witch hunts. People lived in constant fear of the unknown and magical powers, which resulted in the persecution and execution of thousands of innocent individuals, often based on false accusations and torture-induced confessions.

How did the ideas of Leonardo da Vinci and the Florentines influence the scientific thought during and after the Thirty Years' War?

Despite the widespread superstition, some individuals continued to uphold the ideas of observation and rational inquiry as advocated by Leonardo da Vinci and the Florentines. They believed in using their eyes to see and make sense of the world, which led to the discovery of mathematical laws governing natural phenomena, a concept that was far more 'magical' and powerful than the superstitions of the time.

Who was Galileo Galilei and what was his significant contribution to the understanding of nature?

Galileo Galilei was an Italian scientist who made significant contributions to the understanding of nature through the application of mathematical calculations. He observed, analyzed, and described natural phenomena, and was one of the first to understand the 'magical' power of applying mathematics to nature, which laid the foundation for modern science and technology.

What was Galileo's stance on the movement of the Earth and the Sun, and what was the reaction to his views?

Galileo supported the heliocentric model, which posited that the Sun does not move and that it is the Earth which moves around the Sun along with the other planets. This view was denounced as unchristian and heretical by both Catholic and Protestant priests, leading to Galileo being brought before the Inquisition. To avoid being burned as a heretic, he signed a declaration recanting his views, but it is said that he muttered 'and yet it moves' under his breath.