It was accentuated by the attempt of the Emperor Matthias to compel them to accept the Archduke Ferdinand as King.

This attempt was countered through the election by the Bohemians of the Pfalzgraf, Friedrich V (the son-in-law of James I of England), who was called the Winter King from the fact that his reign lasted only during the winter months; for though the Protestant Union, led by Count Thurn, had won several victories in 1618 and even threatened Vienna, the Austrian power was saved by Tilly and the Catholic League which came to its rescue.

Many of the Protestant States, moreover, were averse to the Palatine Friedrich's acceptance of the Bohemian crown.

The Bohemian movement was ultimately crushed by a force sent from Spain, under the Spanish general Spinola.

The final defeat took place at the battle of the White Hill, near Prague, November 8, 1620.
The second period of the war was concerned with the attempt of the Catholic Powers to deprive Friedrich of his Palatine dominions.