Austria/Hungary during the Renaissance & Reformation

During this time period, war and the threat of war began to aid rulers in their attempts to create absolute monarchies. An endless struggle for power began as eastern rulers battled amongst each other and also against invaders from Asia. In this atmosphere, monarchs reduced the political power of the landlord nobility and bean to gain and monopolize political power. THey began to impose and collect taxes without conesent and also maintained permanent armies. Finally, they also conducted relations with other states as they pleased. This absolutism that was created in Prussia was stronger and more effective than Austria's.