Bhavika Patel and Marco Maggi Period 3 Rise of Prussia Analyze the military, political, and crucial factors that account for the rise of Prussia between 1640 and 1786. Bhavika Patel and Marco Maggi Period 3

Introduction The devastation of Brandenburg-Prussia after the Thirty Years War paved the way for the growth of Prussia. After the Thirty Years War, Brandenburg-Prussia was greatly weakened and little to no army existed. This gave way to four kings who each greatly enhanced the welfare of Prussia. Frederick William, Frederick III, Frederick William I, and Frederick II’s military, political and crucial factors accounted for the rise of Brandenburg-Prussia between 1640-1786. The building of the army, creation of an absolute monarchy, and encouragement of religious tolerance greatly reflected the rise of Prussia.

Military: Topic Sentence Although Brandenburg-Prussia was weakened before the 1640s, it gained military strength from the leadership of Frederick William ,Frederick III (King Frederick I), Frederick William I, and Frederick II.

Frederick William (1640-1688) Frederick William’s Militaristic Factors He was the Elector of Brandenburg and the Duke of Prussia(1640-1688) His primary policy centered on the integration and unification of the Duchy of Prussia, surrounded by Poland and part of it encumbered by feudal law; Cleve-Mark, subject to Dutch pressure; and Brandenburg, subject to Swedish pressure in West Pomerania. Frederick William’s Militaristic Factors Little to no army beginning of reign. At the end of his reign, 30,000 troops 1648- 8,000 troops He took advantage of the wars around the Baltic in the 1650s to confirm his gains by switching sides at crucial moments. In this process, his army grew to 22,000 men, and he began to use it to impose his will on his own lands. Centralized the army 1655-1660-Second Northern War : Frederick William I initially supported the Estates in Royal Prussia, but Allied with Sweden in return for receiving the Duchy of Prussia as a Swedish fief- granted in the Treaty of Königsberg (1656) 1656-Battle of Warsaw – it was the beginning of the Prussian military history The Swedes turned on him at the behest of King Louis XIV of France and invaded Brandenburg. After marching 250 kilometres in 15 days back to Brandenburg, he caught the Swedes by surprise and managed to defeat them on the field at the Battle of Fehrbellin, destroying the myth of Swedish military invincibility. He later destroyed another Swedish army that invaded the Duchy of Prussia during the Great Sleigh Drive in 1678.

Frederick III (1688-1713) Compared to predecessor; 3,000 to 30,000 Son of Frederick William Elector of Brandenburg-Prussia from (1688-1713) Crowned King of Prussia- became King Frederick I (1701-1713) Focused on imitating the style of Louis XIV Encouraged the arts Built expensive palace and cultivated arts Inherited an army of 30,000 and slightly increased size to 38,000 Compared to predecessor; 3,000 to 30,000 Main political accomplishment was winning a prestigious royal title of King Frederick I Awarded for aiding the Holy Roman emperor in the War of Spanish Succession Not a traditional Prussian ruler focused on military might and centralization Had opposite views of his successor did little for the advancement of the Prussian military and society Stand still in Prussian military might Royal income for Frederick doubled. The civil Service created during the reign of Frederick William worked with great effectiveness by the time of Frederick I and his army had increased in size to 83,000 from 30,000 – 276% increase

Frederick William I (1713 - 1740 ) Crude, dangerous, psychoneurotic Most talented reformer Truly established absolutism in Prussia and gave it a unique character Created the best army in Europe, for its size, and relative to quality of training Infused strict military values into Prussian society This strict attitude led to the most disciplined and effective military, soldier for soldier 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 the other powers.” King above all and all powerful, led by military power Standing army increased form 38,000 to 83,000 4th largest, and best or most skilled in Europe For next two hundred year would win most battle and become the dominant military power in Europe Created a strong centralized bureaucracy King’s grab for power brought him considerable conflict with the noble landowners Junkers, threatened to destroy them; instead had them enlisted in the army Civil society became rigid and highly disciplined much like the military

Frederick II (1740-1786) Son of Frederick William I Frederick the Great Disdained German culture and was a deist Father forced him to work at all levels of the stare apparatus so as to experience them directly, from shoveling hay on a royal farm to marching with the troops Tried to justify absolutism at home and aggression abroad Claimed undivided power because only absolute rule could bring results He modernized the Prussian bureaucracy and civil service and promoted religious tolerance throughout his realm 1742: In the general European war of the Austrian Succession (1740-1748), Maria Theresa was forced to cede almost all of Silesia to Prussia. Population doubled to 6 million Now stood as a European Great Power He needed to acquire more territory, stronger borders, and the power to face other European states as an equal to improve Prussia’s vulnerable geographic position.

Political: Topic Sentence The formation of an absolute monarchy was another major factor in the rise of Prussia.

Frederick William established an absolute monarchy In 1653, the Diet of Brandenburg gave Frederick William the right to raise taxes without its consent War Chest took over the functions of a treasury department and collected government revenue even when the state was at peace Junkers were the main supporters and beneficiaries of the elector’s state building He agreed to exempt the nobility from taxes and in return they agreed to dissolve the Estates-General Frederick III In 1702, a Supreme Court of Appeal was established in Berlin from which there was no longer any right of appeal to the Holy Roman Emperor. This made Frederick's will the law in his states - and there was nothing the Emperor could do about this. Frederick William I replaced mandatory military service among the middle class with an annual tax Concentrated of building a bureaucracy Exceptionally honest and conscientious Frederick II Frederick II simplified the law and jurisdiction and abolished trials for witchcraft Abolished torture of prisoners Judges decided cases quickly and impartially

Crucial Factors: Topic Sentence The encouragement of religious tolerance in Brandenburg-Prussia increased its population and gave rise to industrialization.

Following Louis XIV's revocation of the Edict of Nantes, Frederick William encouraged skilled French and Walloon Huguenots to emigrate to Brandenburg-Prussia with the Edict of Potsdam, bolstering the country's technical and industrial base. Population increased, seen as a place of religious refuge, and Brandenburg-Prussia was seen as the champion of Protestantism He also simplified travel in Brandenburg and the Duchy of Prussia By connecting river ways with canals. This linked the Elbe River to the River Oder by using the rivers Spree and Havel. The completion of this canal meant that materials could be transported in such a way that they could by-pass Dutch and Swedish tolls. About 100,000 Huguenots came to Brandenburg-Prussia ands greatly assisted in its modernization. By 1700, one-third of Berlin’s population was Huguenot and their skills allowed Brandenburg-Prussia to develop a flourishing candle and paper-making trade, mirror and glove manufacturing etc. Frederick William himself estimated that religious toleration increased Brandenburg-Prussia’s population by 33%. Industry was near enough oriented around the Military The textile industry developed because of the need for military uniforms; iron works developed because of the use of iron in artillery guns and cannon balls.