A Powerpoint based on Mr. Richey’s design; additions and alterations by Mr. Robinson

The Holy Roman Empire Art Credit: David Liuzzo & N3MODavid LiuzzoN3MO

The Holy Roman Empire “Neither Holy, nor Roman, nor an Empire!” -- Voltaire

Confederation

Prussia in the 17 th Century

Brandenburg- Prussia

Early Hohenzollerns Ruled as electors of Brandenburg and dukes of Prussia First among equals (simply the largest landowner in a landlord society) Dukes of Prussia part of Poland Brandenburg called “the sand-box of the HRE” No sea port

of the Holy Roman Empire

Brandenburg established in 950 AD by Otto I One of the 7 Electors of HRE (1417’s Golden Bull) Marriages increase size of Brandenburg Peace of Westphalia grant more land (3 Bishoprics & 1 Archbishopric) No natural borders – fragmented areas

Building an Absolutist State Protestant Religious Toleration Cooperation (Service Nobility) Reduced Power Taxation by Decree Compulsory Public Education (1 st system of its kind)

Hohenzollern Dynasty “The Fredericks”

(r ) The “Great Elector” Father of Prussian Absolutism Frederick William

Frederick William: The Great Elector Try to unite: –Historic Brandenburg (area around Berlin) –Prussia –Scattered holdings around Rhine River Each dominated by Junkers (landowning class)

He managed to get estates (Junkers) to accept taxation without consent –Reconfirmed Junker privileges (including authority over serfs) –State revenue triple Used $ to pay for standing army –Ongoing euro war & threat or Russia justified military $$$ –Army leaped ahead tenfold

Crush the cities!!! Junkers won over Needed to crush the influence of towns/cities that opposed him –Cities eliminated from the estates one by one –New taxes on goods & services

Consolidation of Prussian Absolutism The Great Elector died in 1688 Newly formed Absolutist Prussia was still fragile Successor Elector Frederick III (the Ostentatious) aka KING Frederick I: –Weak ruler – tried to copy Louis XIV’s court –Crowned King by Hapsburg for helping in War of Sp Succ.

Frederick William I (r ) The “Soldier King” Soldatenkönig

King Frederick William I King Frederick William I “Soldier’s King”: After Frederick I, Frederick William I took throne Crude, Dangerous and psychoneurotic man Bent on organization and military build up Always wore military uniform

Enlisted Junkers into military –Became the officer caste Many commoners served in civil government Last traces of parliamentary Estates and local self-government gone By 1740, Prussia had 4 th largest army in Europe

Soldier to soldier, Prussia’s army was best –Skill, discipline, and organization “Sparta of the North” –Highest virtue = unquestioned obedience

THIS... IS... SPARTA!

“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.” -- Frederick William I

“All successful rulers keep God before their eyes and have no mistresses or, rather, whores, and lead a godly life…” -- Frederick William I Marie Angélique de Scorailles, one of Louis XIV’s many mistresses

I’m going to get rid of all my mistresses so I can be more successful. jk lol #PimpinAintEasy

“The most beautiful girl or woman in the world would be a matter of indifference to me, but tall soldiers - they are my weakness.” -- Frederick William I

Potsdam GIANTS Internationally-recruited regiment of tall soldiers

“Everything must be committed except eternal salvation – that belongs to God, but all else is mine.” -- Frederick William I

MILITARISM Carl Röchling (d. 1920), Attack of the Prussian Infantry

MILITARISM Carl Röchling (d. 1920), Attack of the Prussian Infantry 12 TH Largest Population 12 TH Largest Population

MILITARISM Carl Röchling (d. 1920), Attack of the Prussian Infantry 12 TH Largest Population 12 TH Largest Population 4 TH Largest Army 4 TH Largest Army

MILITARISM Carl Röchling (d. 1920), Attack of the Prussian Infantry Armies from Russia to the United States adopted the Prussian drill model.

Baron von Steuben Trained Washington’s Continental Army in Prussian-style drill

Enlightened Absolutist Friend of Voltaire Frederick II “the Great” (r )

King Frederick II the Great ( ) Enlightened Monarch!!! –Letters with Voltaire –Rulers should be the “first servant of the state” Enlightened Ideas implemented –Single code of law for all territories –No torture except for treason & murder –Toleration of religion –Some ‘limited’ free speech & press Too dependent on nobles to free serfs yet…

Enlarged military to 200,000 Seized Silesia (Austrian province) –Made Prussia & Austria enemies –Pulled into 2 wars over this: War of Austrian Succession Seven Years War First Partition of Poland gave land to Brandenburg-Prussia By end of his reign, Prussia a major European power