The Prussian StateThe "Sparta of the North"

Historical Background• Prussia composed of 3 non-contiguous territories

• Prussia in Poland - capital Königsberg

• Brandenburg - capital Berlin

• Scattered holdings along Rhine River in Western Germany

• Prussia is Germanic island in Slavic territory conquered during “The northern crusades in the middle ages.

• Brandenburg is a sandy and swamp filled marsh with no defensible borders

Hohenzollern Dynasty• Hohenzollerns described as

"spectators to the 30 years war"

• Hohenzollern family rises to prominence after 30 years war as one of the six electors of the Holy Roman Empire - called the electors of Brandenburg

• 1618 - Inherit Dukedom of Prussia from junior branch of family that dies outHohenzollern Castle in

Stuttgart

The Road to Absolutism• Frederick William (r.1640-1688) also

known as the Great Elector comes to Prussian throne at age 20

• Decides to unite his 3 disparate territories by diplomacy and war if necessary

• Ignores the rights of Prussian and Brandenburg nobles in their representative assemblies

• Levies new taxes on Junkers and peasants without consent of the Estates of Brandenburg and Prussia

Do as the French do...• 1660- Frederick William raises

taxes to create the first standing Prussian Army

• Wars with Sweden for control of the Baltic Sea and wars with Louis XIV create climate of perpetual crisis

• Allows monarch to further consolidate power around military

The Prussian Spirit• Frederick III (r. 1688-1713) "the

Ostentacious" is retitled King Frederick I of Prussia

• Imitated Louis XIV lifestyle and extravagance

• Frederick William I (r. 1713-1740) called the "soldier-king" cements Prussia's role as a military state

• Strict military values dominate society

Might makes right

• Frederick William I' philosophy

• "a formidable army and a war chest large enough to make this army mobile in times of need can create great respect for you in the world, so that you can speak a word like other powers."