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The Formation of Prussia

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The Formation of Prussia The Formation of Prussia Ch5 TRANSFORMATION OF EASTERN EUROPE (1648-1740) Quick understanding of Sweden’s empire • It was mainly powerful within the 17th century (1600’s) • Important leaders led this country to a reign of power ex.) Gustavus Adolphus or most importantly Charles XII • They Created this empire when in the 30 year war they allied with the protestant princes predominantly from the north(helped stop unification of germany) Quick understanding of Sweden’s empire • In the peace of Westphalia they gained land in Northern Germany • Other wars against Poland- Lithuania (the commonwealth) also created gains for Sweden. Soon controlled all of Baltic sea became “Sweden's lake” • Eventually beaten by Russia where Charles XII of Sweden fled then to Turkey (Sweden losses it’s stance as a superpower) Brandenburg-Prussia Grows • Land that Prussia was to be forged from was quite poor for the creation of an empire • It was thinly populated with poor resources and ORIGINALLY backward to the rest of the German states like Saxony or Bohemia • It also had little Physical frontier between Poland Brandenburg-Prussia Grows • Brandenburg was formed from the Holy Roman Empire as a “Border State “ in other words it was the battlegrounds against enemies of the nation (In the Medieval age the Slavs) • The prince of Brandenburg would help elect an Emperor therefore the name Elector of Brandenburg was formed • The Elector of Brandenburg after 1415 would always be a Hohenzollern. This family would later rule Prussia. • East of Brandenburg is a land known as “Prussia” which would become the name of the nation latter Brandenburg-Prussia Grows • The Original “Prussia” was home of the Teutonic Knights they would settle as Germans making that area as well Germanic • They Would be Known as the Baltic Barons Modern Prussia is Formed • It started to form in the seventeenth century (1600’s) when the Hohenzollern family stared to inherit territories. One of these being Prussia which was inherited by the elector of Brandenburg. • Also Eastern Pomerania is taken by Brandenburg (they now have a port on the Baltic sea) • Other Scattered Lands would be inherited closer western Europe giving them a base for more advanced regions in the west • Brandenburg is in three pieces (Brandenburg, Pomerania, and territories along the Rhine) The Great Elector • Frederick William(1640-1688) inherits these lands, he is known as the great elector He would shape Modern Prussia • He said A competent Army Is what will make Prussia safe. In effective though small army can shift the balance of power. This is the bases of everything Prussia will do in its years. King In Prussia • The War of Spanish succession occurred in 1701 and the emperor needed help in the war. • The price was maid that Prussia would send 8,000 men, if he was recognized as the king in Prussia . (the Emperor made him King IN Prussia therefore below him) • Though it was soon turned into the king of Prussia (the first King Of Prussia is Frederick III the elector who was from then known as King Frederick I of Prussia) Prussia becomes a Military State • The Country was Organized to support the government The Military become a basic custom in everyday Prussian life. • Roughly half of Prussia’s income came from the crown domain and only half from taxes. • Almost all of the crown’s money went into state purposes. • The country would have many civilian officials, little of the country was in private hands most was owned by the state. • All taxes where originally after the Great Elector where levied for the military. Prussia becomes a Military State • They allowed many immigrants into the country for example the Huguenots • Civilian demand in the country was low so production was mainly built around the military for example the uniforms, food, and weapons would help create economic growth for the country. The Army and Prussian Society • Junkers- the nobles of Prussian society(aristocracy) where mostly all in military service • Their was also a submissive middle class • The military was used to control the people in a martial loyalty, it fell on duty, obedience, service, and sacrifice. • A Whole Male Aristocracy was established The Army and Prussian Society • The Junkers had to respect the king and the peasants had to respect the Junkers • Their was serfdom in Prussia • Their was little to know social class change in Prussia only Junkers could hold titles. • The middle class was not rich, many where government workers in a state enterprise who looked up to Junkers for guidance and was under the military Fredrick William I (1713-1740) • He was a very strong militaristic ruler. He believed the military was all that money should go to. (for example he spent 2,547 thaler on his coronation, his father spent 5 million) • He raised the courtly precedence of the military ahead of the civilians. • Created the canton System(recruiting System)- each officer would get a canton assigned to it as a source of soldiers. • He raised the military from 40,000 to 83,000 • He also left a war chest of 7,000,000 thalers Frederick II the great • Son of Frederick the I he would use this military in the capture of Silesia which almost doubled the population of the country and added valuable industries. This was during the Pragmatic Sanction • He would also raise the army to 200,000 • Under his rule the country would be recognized as a great power. Frederick the Great Quotes • What is the good of experience if you do not reflect • A Crown is nearly a hat that lets the rain in • Rascals do you want to live forever(when the soldiers hesitated at the battle of Kolin) • With no supplies no army is brave • By pushing of bayonets, no firing until you see the whites in their eyes ( Prague 1757) .
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