In the ensuing months Gustavus swept triumphantly through central Germany, systematically consolidating his base areas as he advanced; by Christmas he had established himself at Mainz. From the time of his birth until his coronation, his upbringing involved many lessons in politics, literature, military science, and physical development, making him physically and intellectually rounded. The Thirty Years’ War, of which Gustavus Adolphus was the greatest hero, was the result of those religious agitations which the ideas of Luther produced. By signing up for this email, you are agreeing to news, offers, and information from Encyclopaedia Britannica. Moved also by his Protestantism, he declared against the emperor and was supported by an understanding with … Gustavus Adolphus - Entrance into the Thirty Years’ War | Britannica As Gustav II Adolf (King Gustavus Adolphus of Sweden) waited in Werben, Germany, Johann Tserclaes, the Count of Tilly (Field Marshall of the Catholic League’s forces) received a message from Field Marshall Pappenheim requesting that he come to Magdeburg and aid in its defense against the Swedes. By the Peace of Knäred (1613) Sweden was forced to leave its only North Sea port, Älvsborg, in Danish hands as security for the payment of an enormous war indemnity. Sort by. By supporting the German princes against the emperor, Gustavus Adolphus defeated the attempts of the Habsburgs to make their imperial authority a reality and thus played a part in delaying the emergence of a united Germany until the 19th century. Gustavus was the eldest son of Charles IX and his second wife, Christina of Holstein. At sixteen he contested three wars, against the Russians, the Danes and the Poles. It seemed that the fate of Germany lay in his hands. Ring in the new year with a Britannica Membership. The main character crisscrosses Europe at war in his role as messenger; he witnesses the 1634 battle of Nordlingen, among other events. Gustavus’s creation of the Gymnasia in the 1620s gave Sweden, for the first time, an effective provision for secondary education; his splendid munificence to the University of Uppsala gave it the financial security that was essential to its development; and his foundation of the University of Tartu provided the first centre for higher learning in the Baltic provinces. He was determined, therefore, to exploit Russia’s momentary weakness to cut it off from direct maritime contact with the West and to channel Russian trade through Swedish middlemen, thus enriching his impoverished exchequer with tolls and duties. His usurpation of the throne had meant not only the expulsion of a Roman Catholic sovereign whose rule seemed to threaten Sweden’s Lutheranism but also the defeat of the aristocratic constitutionalism of the Council of State, and it had been followed by the execution of five leading members of the high aristocracy. Gustav II Adolf's politics in th… Generals of the 30 years war who rivaled Gustavus Adolphus? And the decisions were always his, though they were usually arrived at after intimate consultation with Axel Oxenstierna. But from the point of view of his own country, these achievements were less significant than his domestic labours—his extraordinarily wide-ranging creative work in the fields of administrative organization, economic development, and education. Until 1629 Gustavus had always to reckon with the danger of a legitimist invasion from Poland and the attempted restoration of the elder Vasa line. PomeraniaA region on the southern shore of the Baltic Sea in Central Europe, split between Germany and Poland. share. The chief among these reforms was the institution of the first Parish registrations, so that the central government could more efficiently tax and conscript its populace. Articles from Britannica Encyclopedias for elementary and high school students. Modding. discerninghistory.com/2014/05/gustavus-adolphus-thirty-years-war During the 17th century Swedish cannons enjoyed an excellent reputation and were sold to the Dutch, British, and French armies. 96% Upvoted. Matthäus Merian, Merseburg, 1650. He was a brilliant leader He was courageous He organized the most modern army of its time Under his leadership, Sweden wins victories. In September John George of Saxony, provoked by violations of his neutrality, formally allied himself with Sweden. New comments cannot be posted and votes cannot be cast. MLA Format. November 16, 1632 Lutzen; Gustavus Adolphus crushed main field army (Battle of Lutzen) • Gustavus Adolphus died in battle • Richelieu – Prince of Catholic Church; led France into the 30 years war • 1635 Richelieu interest for French national interest; Drove France to war to protect French national interest • Powers/ states help and protect the other’s national interest; it would … 2lzy4nme. Gustavus Adolphus in the Thirty Years War mod. Take advantage of our Presidents' Day bonus! Whatever the feelings of the Protestant populations, the Protestant princes resented Swedish interference, and the refusal of George William of Brandenburg to cooperate with the Swedes thwarted Gustavus’s attempts to save Magdeburg from capture and sack at the hands of Tilly’s armies. In the event he took Munich two years later, and although there were many setbacks his successors later threatened Vienna, while at … He inherited the Swedish throne in 1611. 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