Battle of White Mountain facts for kids
The Battle of White Mountain in 1620, was the first battle of the Thirty Years War. Duke Maximilian I of Bavaria defeated the forces of Frederick V, Elector of Palantine, King of Bohemia and Moravia.
The cause of the battle was a revolt by a group of Czech lords who threw two governors and a secretary out of the windows of Prague Castle. This incident is known as the Defenestration of Prague. They quickly built up an army of 30,000 to make an independent Protestant country. The Czechs were defeated by a well trained Imperial army, the battle lasting less than one hour. Emperor Ferdinand II replaced Frederick as King of Bohemia, and then killed many who had opposed him. Others were given a choice, convert to Catholicism or leave the country.
White Mountain is now in the city of Prague. There is an open space and monument.
Images for kids
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Plan of the battle from Theatrum Europaeum: Bohemians above, Imperial and Bavarian forces below
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Painting celebrating the Catholic victory, by Anton Stevens (c. 1610–1675). In the upper part there is Our Lady of Victory surrounded by saints; in the lower left-hand corner there is the victorious Emperor Ferdinand II with his son Ferdinand III and the Bohemian lion.
See also
In Spanish: Batalla de la Montaña Blanca para niños
