The Habsburgs (or Hapsburgs) were the most prominent European dynasty from the 15th to the 20th centuries. The family started in Switzerland in the 10th century. In 1273 Rudolph I was elected Holy Roman Emperor, establishing possession of Austria, Carniola, and Styria. The Habsburgs held the title again from 1438 to 1740 and from 1745 to 1806. In 1516 Charles V inherited the Spanish Crown, which he left to his son, Philip II; his Austrian possessions went to his brother, Ferdinand I. The Spanish branch ruled until 1700; the Austrian
Habsburgs became emperors of Austria in 1804 and of Austria-Hungary from 1867 to 1918. Research Habsburgs
The Fifteen Years War was fought between Austria and the Ottoman Empire between 1591 and 1906. After initial Turkish advances against the Austrians, Bathory, prince of Transylvania, in 1595 allied with Holy Roman Emperor Rudolf II. The Turks invaded Transylvania but were driven out. The Habsburgs occupied Hungary, but then Bocskay, with Turkish aid, fomented a revolt in Transylvania and drove the Habsburgs from Hungary in 1606. The war marked the ascendance of Transylvania as a political power, and demonstrated a decline in Ottoman imperial power in Europe. Research Fifteen Years War
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