Overview of the Habsburg dynasty

The Habsburg Empire was established in the 1300s and expanded through strategic marriages, ruling over an extensive territory in Europe and the New World. It evolved into the Holy Roman Empire and gained fame for its championing of Catholicism. The dynasty faced conflicts with the Ottoman Empire and engaged in military battles for over 200 years. Notably, the Habsburgs' influence extended to Spain, Portugal, and later, the Habsburg Empire in Central and Eastern Europe. The dynasty's power was marked by marriages that secured significant territories and resources, like the marriage between Maximilian and Mary of Burgundy, which granted them control over the prosperous Burgundy territories, enabling them to amass wealth and influence.