Please Define the Following Key Terms

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The Answer is The Habsburg dynasty, also known as the House of Habsburg, was one of the most influential and distinguished royal houses of Europe. The family originated in the Swiss region around the 11th century and rose to prominence when Rudolf I of Habsburg was elected King of Germany in 1273. Over the centuries, through strategic marriages and inheritance, the Habsburgs extended their influence and territories, at various times ruling over regions such as Austria, Hungary, Spain, the Netherlands, and much of Central Europe.

The Habsburgs are particularly known for the motto "Let others wage war, but you, happy Austria, marry," which exemplifies their method of expanding power through dynastic marriages rather than through military conquest. This strategy led to a sprawling empire under Habsburg rule, with the family providing many Holy Roman Emperors until the empire's dissolution in 1806.

The dynasty reached its zenith in the 16th century under the reign of Charles V, who controlled an empire that spanned nearly four million square kilometers across Europe, the Americas, parts of Asia, and Africa. The Habsburgs were also notable for their role in European politics, culture, and religion, particularly during the Protestant Reformation and the subsequent Counter-Reformation.

The Spanish and Austrian Habsburgs were two main branches of the family. The Spanish line ended with the death of Charles II in 1700, leading to the War of the Spanish Succession. The Austrian line continued until the death of Charles VI, after which his daughter Maria Theresa fought the War of the Austrian Succession, leading to the establishment of the Habsburg-Lorraine dynasty.

The Habsburg monarchy's influence began to wane in the 19th century, and it faced numerous challenges, including nationalist movements within its diverse territories. The dynasty's rule effectively ended when the last Emperor, Charles I of Austria-Hungary, abdicated in 1918 following the empire's defeat in World War I and the subsequent collapse of the Austro-Hungarian Empire.

The Habsburg dynasty left a lasting legacy in European history, with its members serving as patrons of the arts and sciences, and its complex history of political marriages shaping the continent's political boundaries and alliances for centuries.

Please Define the Following Key Terms

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