Die Habsburger Reiche 1555–1740

One dynasty - two empires: After the abdication of Emperor Charles V, the Habsburgs split into a Spanish and an Austrian line. Arno Strohmeyer traces the history of both ruling dynasties up to the end of the Spanish line in 1700 and the extinction of the Austrian branch in the male line in 1740, tracing the rule, politics, religion, society and culture of both empires. It spans the period from Hungary to Mexico, from the uprising in the Netherlands and Ottoman expansion to the Thirty Years' War and the Habsburg-French conflict, as well as missionary work, dynastic politics and courtly culture. All the central parameters of early modern history are reflected: colonialism, confessionalism and religious conflicts as well as the development of the central monarchies. Arno Strohmeyer thus succeeds in creating a compact portrait of Europe between the Reformation and the Revolution.