When Friedrich took the throne, Prussia had 2,400,000 people, 600,000 of them religious or political
refugees and/or their descendants. In his reign, he introduced another 300,000 more. By 1786, one
third of Prussia's population was of foreign (non Prussian) birth or foreign descent.
refugees and/or their descendants. In his reign, he introduced another 300,000 more. By 1786, one
third of Prussia's population was of foreign (non Prussian) birth or foreign descent.
The capital was moved from the town of Brandenburg to Potsdam as the Hohenzollern dukes and
electors became Kings of Prussia, and they steadily attained even greater prestige and power,
beginning with the reforms of the administration and the army undertaken by Friedrich Wilhelm, the
Great Elector of Brandenburg, and continued by his son and grandson, the first two Prussian kings.
With connections to Frankish Nurnberg, Ansbach and the southern Hohenzollerns, as well as to
eastern Europe, the Hohenzollerns were one of the oldest, most important royal families of Europe.
electors became Kings of Prussia, and they steadily attained even greater prestige and power,
beginning with the reforms of the administration and the army undertaken by Friedrich Wilhelm, the
Great Elector of Brandenburg, and continued by his son and grandson, the first two Prussian kings.
With connections to Frankish Nurnberg, Ansbach and the southern Hohenzollerns, as well as to
eastern Europe, the Hohenzollerns were one of the oldest, most important royal families of Europe.
Friedrich disassociated Prussia from what he considered the corrupt judicial systems of the greater
German Reich. He reorganized a system of indirect taxes which provided the state with greater
revenue and completely revised the civil service code. Prussia became the first country in continental
Europe to abolish torture, give people total equality and fairness under the law and enjoy complete
religious tolerance. He allowed freedom of speech and print. Prussia had the reputation of having the
best educational system and the finest administration and legal system in Europe. Between 1772 and
1796, Poland was partitioned between Russia, Prussia and Austria.
German Reich. He reorganized a system of indirect taxes which provided the state with greater
revenue and completely revised the civil service code. Prussia became the first country in continental
Europe to abolish torture, give people total equality and fairness under the law and enjoy complete
religious tolerance. He allowed freedom of speech and print. Prussia had the reputation of having the
best educational system and the finest administration and legal system in Europe. Between 1772 and
1796, Poland was partitioned between Russia, Prussia and Austria.
Soon, however, Napoleon would ride into Prussia's history. Prussia attempted to remain neutral, but
Napoleon was less than gracious with Prussian king Friedrich Wilhelm III and his dear wife.
Napoleon was less than gracious with Prussian king Friedrich Wilhelm III and his dear wife.
| Hohenzollern Prussia and its Rise to a Great Power: A Brief Background |
Since 1618, both Brandenburg and Prussia were ruled by the Hohenzollerns, and beginning with the
"Great Elector" Friedrich Wilhelm I. after the devastation of the Thirty Years War, its brilliant leaders
managed to take backwater Brandenburg to a pinnacle of power and prosperity in Europe. Since
there was a sparsely populated Polish region sandwiched between two German regions. Brandenburg
acquired another stretch of Baltic coast in eastern Pomerania in 1648 so as to bridge the territorial
gap between Brandenburg and ducal Prussia. In the year 1657, Elector Friedrich Wilhelm finally
succeeded, through minor wars and diplomacy, in severing the feudal link between his duchy and the
Polish kingdom, and Poland conceded its loss of ducal Prussia in the treaty of Wehlau in 1657. With
the peace of Oliva, 1660, Prussia was recognized as an independent duchy belonging to Brandenburg.
"Great Elector" Friedrich Wilhelm I. after the devastation of the Thirty Years War, its brilliant leaders
managed to take backwater Brandenburg to a pinnacle of power and prosperity in Europe. Since
there was a sparsely populated Polish region sandwiched between two German regions. Brandenburg
acquired another stretch of Baltic coast in eastern Pomerania in 1648 so as to bridge the territorial
gap between Brandenburg and ducal Prussia. In the year 1657, Elector Friedrich Wilhelm finally
succeeded, through minor wars and diplomacy, in severing the feudal link between his duchy and the
Polish kingdom, and Poland conceded its loss of ducal Prussia in the treaty of Wehlau in 1657. With
the peace of Oliva, 1660, Prussia was recognized as an independent duchy belonging to Brandenburg.
By the time Germany became an Empire, her fortunes were the fortunes of Prussia. To understand
how this came about, one must begin with a brief background of the Kingdom of Prussia.
how this came about, one must begin with a brief background of the Kingdom of Prussia.
Under the direction of Friedrich Wilhelm, Brandenburg’s small, but professional army also defeated
their former allies/occupiers, the Swedes, in 1675 at Fehrbellin. These achievements enabled
Friedrich Wilhelm's son, Friedrich III of Brandenburg, to achieve prominence in 1700 when the
Austrian emperor Leopold I needed his help in the War of the Spanish Succession. Since there were
no German kings within the Holy Roman empire apart from the Habsburg kingdom of Bohemia,
Leopold allowed Friedrich to become the King of Prussia. Thus, Friedrich III was crowned King
Friedrich I of Prussia in Königsberg, East Prussia in 1701, below
their former allies/occupiers, the Swedes, in 1675 at Fehrbellin. These achievements enabled
Friedrich Wilhelm's son, Friedrich III of Brandenburg, to achieve prominence in 1700 when the
Austrian emperor Leopold I needed his help in the War of the Spanish Succession. Since there were
no German kings within the Holy Roman empire apart from the Habsburg kingdom of Bohemia,
Leopold allowed Friedrich to become the King of Prussia. Thus, Friedrich III was crowned King
Friedrich I of Prussia in Königsberg, East Prussia in 1701, below
Brandenburg was one of seven Electorships of the Holy Roman Empire
from the late medieval period, and controlled by the Bavarian royal
Wittelsbach family from 1323 until 1415 when Emperor Sigismund
granted it to the House of Hohenzollern. From the year 1442, Berlin
became the residence of the Hohenzollerns. The Hohenzollerns embraced
Lutheranism and acquired Ducal Prussia in 1525 and Albrecht of
Brandenburg-Anspach secularized the Prussian holdings of the Teutonic
Order. In 1618, Brandenburg then expanded its lands to include, among
other territories, the Duchy of Prussia.
from the late medieval period, and controlled by the Bavarian royal
Wittelsbach family from 1323 until 1415 when Emperor Sigismund
granted it to the House of Hohenzollern. From the year 1442, Berlin
became the residence of the Hohenzollerns. The Hohenzollerns embraced
Lutheranism and acquired Ducal Prussia in 1525 and Albrecht of
Brandenburg-Anspach secularized the Prussian holdings of the Teutonic
Order. In 1618, Brandenburg then expanded its lands to include, among
other territories, the Duchy of Prussia.
By the end of his reign, barely 5% of the kingdom's revenue was dedicated to upkeep of the royal
family and state functions, while in France, for example, the royal family spent up to 50% of the
country’s revenue on their upkeep. Friedrich Wilhelm I was therefore able to bequeath a strong
economy with a cash surplus and Europe's best-trained army to his son, the future Friedrich the
Great. During his reign, Friedrich Wilhelm kept his loyalty to the Holy Roman Empire and its
emperor, Karl VI. He supported the Habsburgs against France in the War of Polish Succession. He
also supported the Pragmatic Sanction, an agreement that all of the Electors in the Empire would
support the succession of Karl VI's daughter, Maria Theresa, to the throne of Austria, should he have
no male heir. Friedrich Wilhelm I died in 1740, the same year that Karl VI died.
family and state functions, while in France, for example, the royal family spent up to 50% of the
country’s revenue on their upkeep. Friedrich Wilhelm I was therefore able to bequeath a strong
economy with a cash surplus and Europe's best-trained army to his son, the future Friedrich the
Great. During his reign, Friedrich Wilhelm kept his loyalty to the Holy Roman Empire and its
emperor, Karl VI. He supported the Habsburgs against France in the War of Polish Succession. He
also supported the Pragmatic Sanction, an agreement that all of the Electors in the Empire would
support the succession of Karl VI's daughter, Maria Theresa, to the throne of Austria, should he have
no male heir. Friedrich Wilhelm I died in 1740, the same year that Karl VI died.
East Prussia, along the southeastern coast of the Baltic Sea, enclosed the bulk of lands of the
now-extinct old Prussians. In prehistory, the east of the area was inhabited by the Eastern Balts. In
time, the Western Balts consolidated into the Old Prussian nation, while the Eastern Balts, including
the "Curonians", consolidated into part of Latvia and Lithuania. Parts of the Baltic region remained
wilderness for longer than anywhere else in Europe. About 350 BC Pytheas called the territory
Mentenomon and the inhabitants Guttones, neighbors of the Teutones.
now-extinct old Prussians. In prehistory, the east of the area was inhabited by the Eastern Balts. In
time, the Western Balts consolidated into the Old Prussian nation, while the Eastern Balts, including
the "Curonians", consolidated into part of Latvia and Lithuania. Parts of the Baltic region remained
wilderness for longer than anywhere else in Europe. About 350 BC Pytheas called the territory
Mentenomon and the inhabitants Guttones, neighbors of the Teutones.
Half of the army was made up of foreign mercenaries, and half were drafted from peasants
throughout Prussia and Brandenburg. After training, they could return to their homes and regular jobs
for ten months a year. Nobles served as well, but merchants were exempt. East Prussia had been
destroyed by plague and famine when he took the throne, and he continued Prussia's tradition of
giving refuge to countless religious and political refugees from other regions of Europe and thereby
repopulated the devastated land. 20,000 Salzburg Protestant exiles and 8,000 French Huguenots who
had arrived in 1685 and 1732 mingled with immigrants from French Switzerland, Nassau, the Pfalz,
Magdeburg and Halberstädt, and the total population in East Prussia between 1713 and 1740 rose
from 400,000 to 600,000 inhabitants.
throughout Prussia and Brandenburg. After training, they could return to their homes and regular jobs
for ten months a year. Nobles served as well, but merchants were exempt. East Prussia had been
destroyed by plague and famine when he took the throne, and he continued Prussia's tradition of
giving refuge to countless religious and political refugees from other regions of Europe and thereby
repopulated the devastated land. 20,000 Salzburg Protestant exiles and 8,000 French Huguenots who
had arrived in 1685 and 1732 mingled with immigrants from French Switzerland, Nassau, the Pfalz,
Magdeburg and Halberstädt, and the total population in East Prussia between 1713 and 1740 rose
from 400,000 to 600,000 inhabitants.
The territory was called "Brus" ("Prus") in an 8th century German map. Vikings
penetrated into the area in the 7th and 8th centuries and many were absorbed into
the local population, especially in the bigger trade areas such as Truso and Kaup
where they were said to travel nack and forth across the Baltic Sea. In expeditions
launched by the Vikings and Danes later, many areas in Prussia including Truso
and Kaup were destroyed.The old Prussian language belonged to the Western
branch of the Baltic language group, but old Prussians spoke a variety of tongues,
including German, and some related to modern Latvian and Lithuanian languages.
Eastern Prussia from the 13th century on was almost entirely German as a result
of German settlers. In 1457, Königsberg became the center of the Teutonic
Order or Knights.
penetrated into the area in the 7th and 8th centuries and many were absorbed into
the local population, especially in the bigger trade areas such as Truso and Kaup
where they were said to travel nack and forth across the Baltic Sea. In expeditions
launched by the Vikings and Danes later, many areas in Prussia including Truso
and Kaup were destroyed.The old Prussian language belonged to the Western
branch of the Baltic language group, but old Prussians spoke a variety of tongues,
including German, and some related to modern Latvian and Lithuanian languages.
Eastern Prussia from the 13th century on was almost entirely German as a result
of German settlers. In 1457, Königsberg became the center of the Teutonic
Order or Knights.
The main feature of Friedrich Wilhelm's internal policy was the establishment of a system of
permanent taxation, the revenue from which funded a strong, standing army. By the time the Great
Elector's grandson Friedrich Wilhelm I took power, the Prussian army amounted to 80,000 men, a
whole 4% of the population, in a system which kept many armed men as a highly trained citizen
army without damage to the economy. It had a highly effective officer corps and the first effective
light cavalry. He also established a native arms industry. Aptly called the Soldier King, he achieved
considerable success in his endeavors and managed to acquire Pomerania from Sweden.
permanent taxation, the revenue from which funded a strong, standing army. By the time the Great
Elector's grandson Friedrich Wilhelm I took power, the Prussian army amounted to 80,000 men, a
whole 4% of the population, in a system which kept many armed men as a highly trained citizen
army without damage to the economy. It had a highly effective officer corps and the first effective
light cavalry. He also established a native arms industry. Aptly called the Soldier King, he achieved
considerable success in his endeavors and managed to acquire Pomerania from Sweden.
In the 13th century, more German emigrants arrived to settle the Prussian lands, and the Order was
now an independently formed, noble political entity, and in 1243 and in 1263, the Pope allowed the
knights to monopolize the grain trade. The Grand Master went to Venice after the fall of Acre in
1291, and then, after conquering Pomerelia in 1309, to Marienburg in Prussia, absorbing the
Sword-Brethren in Livonia whose expansion had taken place further east. The knights administered
their lands from Marienburg and granted considerable freedom to the cities, many of which joined
the Hanseatic League. The Order was defeated in 1410 at Tannenberg by Poland and Lithuania, and
after a revolt in its own territories it became a vassal of Poland.
now an independently formed, noble political entity, and in 1243 and in 1263, the Pope allowed the
knights to monopolize the grain trade. The Grand Master went to Venice after the fall of Acre in
1291, and then, after conquering Pomerelia in 1309, to Marienburg in Prussia, absorbing the
Sword-Brethren in Livonia whose expansion had taken place further east. The knights administered
their lands from Marienburg and granted considerable freedom to the cities, many of which joined
the Hanseatic League. The Order was defeated in 1410 at Tannenberg by Poland and Lithuania, and
after a revolt in its own territories it became a vassal of Poland.
The new Habsburg ruler, 23 year old Maria Theresa, was strong
but her Habsburg armies proved no match for the Prussians. After
Friedrich's first victory over the Austrians in April of 1741, he
convinced the French and Bavarians to join him against Maria
Theresa. A series of three victories in 1745 won him the title of
"the Great". By the treaty of Dresden in 1745, Maria Theresa
ceded the greater part of Silesia to Prussia adding about 50% more
people to Prussia. On August 29, 1756, 70,000 Prussian soldiers
under Friedrich marched into Saxony and launched the Seven
Years War in order to keep it.
but her Habsburg armies proved no match for the Prussians. After
Friedrich's first victory over the Austrians in April of 1741, he
convinced the French and Bavarians to join him against Maria
Theresa. A series of three victories in 1745 won him the title of
"the Great". By the treaty of Dresden in 1745, Maria Theresa
ceded the greater part of Silesia to Prussia adding about 50% more
people to Prussia. On August 29, 1756, 70,000 Prussian soldiers
under Friedrich marched into Saxony and launched the Seven
Years War in order to keep it.
All across East Prussia, the landscape was dotted by old castles of the Teutonic Knights. During the
siege of Acre in 1190, the Teutonic Order began as a hospital brotherhood to care for the many sick
German crusaders who were denied medical care from others. It was turned into a military-monastic
order in 1198, reflecting the involvement of the Hohenstaufen dynasty in the Holy Land. The order
conquered territory in the Holy Land, and then, under grandmaster Hermann von Salza, Eastern
Europe, where they rose to prominence. They were in Hungary by 1211-25. After 50 years of war,
the knights had subdued the pagan Prussians, who had risen in revolt repeatedly and were now
reduced to serfdom. The order allied themselves with the Polish dukes of Masovia and Silesia to
both subjugate the Prussians and fight against Novgorod.
siege of Acre in 1190, the Teutonic Order began as a hospital brotherhood to care for the many sick
German crusaders who were denied medical care from others. It was turned into a military-monastic
order in 1198, reflecting the involvement of the Hohenstaufen dynasty in the Holy Land. The order
conquered territory in the Holy Land, and then, under grandmaster Hermann von Salza, Eastern
Europe, where they rose to prominence. They were in Hungary by 1211-25. After 50 years of war,
the knights had subdued the pagan Prussians, who had risen in revolt repeatedly and were now
reduced to serfdom. The order allied themselves with the Polish dukes of Masovia and Silesia to
both subjugate the Prussians and fight against Novgorod.
Friedrich II inherited the Prussian throne at age 28. Cultured and intelligent, Friedrich not only read
poetry, established a court orchestra and provided Berlin with an opera house, he jumped to attention
when Emperor Karl VI of Austria died on October 20, 1740. Despite the Pragmatic sanction, Elector
Carl Albert of Bavaria, King Philip V of Spain, and Augustus III of Saxony all contested Maria
Theresa’s succession. Friedrich II offered to adhere to the Pragmatic Sanction and support Maria
Theresa in return for Prussia occupying Silesia. Maria Theresa refused. So, taking advantage of the
turmoil caused by the disputed succession, in December of 1740, Friedrich the Great ordered his
army to invade the rich Habsburg province of Silesia, astonishing Europe.
poetry, established a court orchestra and provided Berlin with an opera house, he jumped to attention
when Emperor Karl VI of Austria died on October 20, 1740. Despite the Pragmatic sanction, Elector
Carl Albert of Bavaria, King Philip V of Spain, and Augustus III of Saxony all contested Maria
Theresa’s succession. Friedrich II offered to adhere to the Pragmatic Sanction and support Maria
Theresa in return for Prussia occupying Silesia. Maria Theresa refused. So, taking advantage of the
turmoil caused by the disputed succession, in December of 1740, Friedrich the Great ordered his
army to invade the rich Habsburg province of Silesia, astonishing Europe.
Der Große Kurfürst Friedrich Wilhelm ; Friedrich I. 1657-1713; Friedrich Wilhelm I 1688-1740
