Section 5.25 The Formation of Prussia

Hohenzollerns Frederick William (The Great Elector) Frederick I (The Ostentatious) Frederick William I (The Soldier King) Frederick II (The Great) )

The Territorial growth of Brandenburg-Prussia Geographic Factors Prussia rises from patchwork quilt of Germany Key Characteristic: Militarism –military values permeated all spheres of life Why? Geography –Not a promising location for building a nation –flat open plain, no prominent physical or natural frontiers, shut off from sea –“the sandbox of the HRE” –Territories separated (Brandenburg, Prussia, lands on the Rhine) –Devastated and depopulated during 30 Years’ War Brandenburg had suffered greatly during 30 Years War –population of Berlin fallen from 14 to 6 thousand since the war started Estates (representative assemblies) greatly weakened

Frederick WilliamFrederick William the Great Elector ( ) Political Developments Member of Hohenzollern Family An Elector (of the HRE) –A prestigious position but had no other political power Took power in 1640 Ignored traditional powers of the Estates –Estates had Power of the Purse –FW forced each region to pay permanent tax without their consent Purpose was to pay for a standing army Directed Brandenburg toward a militaristic culture –Created an Army of being keep army but not use it –“Speak softly and carry a big stick” policy –1688 –Population of 1 million –Army of 30 thousand

Why was he able to do this? –War created state of crisis Sweden and Poland (1648) Wars of Louis XIV Crimean Tartars ( ) –Junkers and Bourgeoisie divided FW gave royal authority over peasants to nobles Taxed towns heavily The Prussian Military State Political Developments

Frederick William I ( ) “the soldier-king” Established Prussian absolutism Created a military cult in society Uncouth, disdained French culture, workaholic cheap except with military, Spartan lifestyle Focus on the military –always appeared in uniform loved tall soldiers and collected special unit b/t 6 and 7 feet tall increased size from 40 to 83, 000 left surplus of 7 mil Thalers Strict economic policies led to accumulation of a large war chest

Army and Prussian Society Political and Cultural Factors Frederick William I –State of Service absorbed the landed aristocracy (Junkers) into the army as officers virtually all Junkers were in military Built a Prussian identity that unified the various regions –Duty, obedience, service, sacrifice become characteristic of the culture

Weakened middle class exists –FW (Elector) heavily taxed them –FWI used them to administer his government –Government worker – civil service –Little money or land –But known for its honesty and duty to the state –FW I used them to create efficient bureaucracy Army and Prussian Society Sociopolitical Developments