{ Absolutism: Prussia Hohenzollern Dynasty Created by: ~Marjorie Lizarzaburu ~Amira Sparks ~Olivia Raulf ~Dj Wissing ~Sydney Solimani ~Ellie Zgoda

{ Ruled; The Great Elector

Background o His name was Frederick William Elector of Brandenburg o His father George William was king during the Thirty Years War in which Prussian territories ravaged and were left in ashes o His father was a predecessor and sort of brought Prussia down o The Great Elector took his fathers throne in 1640 o He was part of the Calvinist faith o Helped setup Prussia with the growth of wealth and power to kick start the country for future progress

o After Thirty Years War-negotiated armistice with Sweden and built military o Raised efficient army o Strengthened central administration o By Treaty of Westphalia- able to take over Eastern Pomerania from Sweden o Promoted trade o Reorganized state finances o Rebuilt towns and cities o One of first to establish Prussian state o Admitted Polish Jews and French Huguenots to promote Prussian economy- Established system of taxation o Continued to extend power of crown Accomplishments

Failures o Didn’t understand politics o Failed to deter other countries by showing off army

Characteristics o Control of the armed forces o Was able to build up army after Thirty Year’s War o Centralized political power o After the Thirty Year’s war, he unified the country of Prussia

{ Ruled; Frederick William I

Background o Frederick William I was known as the soldier king o Born in August of 1688 in Berlin o He was the first absolute ruler in Prussia o Made sure his small country was ready to defend itself o Centralized and helped Prussia grow a lot o He helped Prussia build a powerful army and brought a ton of wealth to the country o Also he ran a rigid economy that included lots of farming. o Frederick William I came to power due to his father Frederick I who was the king for the margraves of Brandenburg.

o First Hohenzollern monarch to rule with absolute power in Prussia o Developed Prussian government into centralized organization o Gave Prussia a strong and disciplined military o Strengthened Prussian economy o Contributed to civil service reforms o Increased efficiency/ discipline of military o Replaced military service with an annual tax o Established primary schools o Resettled East Prussia o Created the General-Ober-Finanz-Kriegsund Domnendirektorium, known as the Generaldirektorium (General Directory) o Created the General-Ober-Finanz-Kriegsund Domänendirektorium, known as the Generaldirektorium (General Directory) o Functioned as an administrative board Accomplishments

Failures o Unsuccessfully tried to take Pomerania from Sweden in 1679

Characteristics o Control of armed forces o Created a strong military program o Control of nobles, legislative bodies, and any groups that threatened the monarchs power o Gave Prussian nobles positions in the government and army

{ Ruled; Frederick the Great

Background o Frederick the Great also known as Frederick II o Took the throne after his father Frederick William I died in 1740 o He called himself the first servant of Prussia because of how much he gave and did for the country. o He followed in his fathers footsteps by furthering the economy by exporting goods. o He was a main factor in enlightened absolutism. o Frederick The Great was the Successor of Prussia with his father Frederick William I being the pre-successor.

o Seized Silesia o Sparked war of the Austrian Succession o Extended territory of Prussia o Used army to force others to recognize Prussia as a great power o Earned name Frederick the Great o Built a strong army o United power in Prussia o Brought Prussia to have great power and wealth Accomplishments

o Strengthened economy- exporting materials and food o Mined natural resources in demand o Improved farming o Generated wealth o Created fair and lawful Prussian society o Extended religious freedom o Raised law judges salaries Accomplishments (Cont.)

Failures o Had some failures with the Oblique order of battle o Failures made army better o Ineffective foreign policy “skills”

Characteristics o Control of the armed forces o Expanded the Prussian territory o Increased revenue for Prussia o More exports than imports