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Section 5.25

Section 5.25. The Formation of Prussia. Hohenzollerns. Frederick William (The Great Elector)- 1640-1688 Frederick I (The Ostentatious)-1688-1713 Frederick William I (The Soldier King) 1713-1740 Frederick II (The Great) 1740-1786).

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Section 5.25

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  1. Section 5.25 The Formation of Prussia

  2. Hohenzollerns • Frederick William (The Great Elector)- 1640-1688 • Frederick I (The Ostentatious)-1688-1713 • Frederick William I (The Soldier King) 1713-1740 • Frederick II (The Great) 1740-1786)

  3. The Territorial growth of Brandenburg-PrussiaGeographic 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

  4. Frederick William the Great Elector(1620-1688)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 anArmy 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

  5. The Prussian Military StatePolitical Developments • Why was he able to do this? • War created state of crisis • Sweden and Poland (1648) • Wars of Louis XIV • Crimean Tartars (1656-57) • Junkers and Bourgeoisie divided • FW gave royal authority over peasants to nobles • Taxed towns heavily

  6. Frederick William I (1713-1740) • “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

  7. Army and Prussian SocietyPolitical 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

  8. Army and Prussian SocietySociopolitical Developments • 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

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