Document Type
Article
Publication Date
2023
Abstract
The Siege of Magdeburg has often been considered representative of the Thirty Years War. Using a variety of primary and secondary sources, this essay will analyze the validity of this perspective by comparing the religious, political, and militant aspects of the Thirty Years War to the internal dynamics of Magdeburg. Delving deeper into the dynamics of the Siege of Magdeburg reveals the tension between the more immediate causes of the catastrophe, such as local circumstances, and the underlying causes of the Thirty Years War, highlighting the importance of understanding history’s complexities. It is only through this comprehension that we can truly appreciate how historical events have been manipulated both intentionally (such as in propaganda) and unintentionally (such as in collective memory).