| A Brief Backgroun of Prussia and East Prussia |
Meanwhile, German war widows, farmers, children and old folks were in constant danger from
marauding gangs of communist hoodlums, thieves and trouble makers. Soon violent acts against them
were rampant and thousands of unprotected ethnic Germans were dead or missing. No less than 154
complaints on behalf of the oppressed and victimized German minority in these lands had been
submitted to the League of Nations by 1933, and all were ignored. By 1939, East Prussia had 2.49
million people, 85% of them German and all of them in dire peril. They had lived there for centuries
and built up the land with their blood and tears. By World War Two their culture was already on the
verge of extinction and by the end of war they were at the mercy of a violent enemy.
marauding gangs of communist hoodlums, thieves and trouble makers. Soon violent acts against them
were rampant and thousands of unprotected ethnic Germans were dead or missing. No less than 154
complaints on behalf of the oppressed and victimized German minority in these lands had been
submitted to the League of Nations by 1933, and all were ignored. By 1939, East Prussia had 2.49
million people, 85% of them German and all of them in dire peril. They had lived there for centuries
and built up the land with their blood and tears. By World War Two their culture was already on the
verge of extinction and by the end of war they were at the mercy of a violent enemy.
East Prussia was now separated from the Fatherland by the "Polish passage". Poland was attached to
areas which had never belonged to her. Substantial channels of distribution cut East Prussia from
neighbouring markets, which greatly harmed the economy. The majority of the road and railway
connections through the redrawn Poland were closed so that East Prussia lost her traditional
distribution areas in the west, raising the price of transport and harming the competitive power of
East Prussian agriculture products. East Prussia was being "starved out" of the market.
areas which had never belonged to her. Substantial channels of distribution cut East Prussia from
neighbouring markets, which greatly harmed the economy. The majority of the road and railway
connections through the redrawn Poland were closed so that East Prussia lost her traditional
distribution areas in the west, raising the price of transport and harming the competitive power of
East Prussian agriculture products. East Prussia was being "starved out" of the market.
Jumping forward in time, past the invasion and occupation by Napoleon and the era of great kings
and philosophers, Germany's East Prussia suffered greatly from the First World War in physical
damage and civilian deaths. Thousands were deported or forced to flee in wagons and on foot,
many never to return to their devastated homes and farms. With German defeat, East Prussia was
vindictively cut away from her ethnic and cultural roots with Germany by the unjust terms of the
Treaty of Versailles and her population was left physically isolated and unprotected, an island in a sea
of embittered minority factions who now greedily eyed their possible new bounty of free land, homes
and businesses. The material war damage amounted to 1,5 billion Marks. In 1920, plebiscites in
eastern West Prussia and southern East Prussia were held to determine if the areas should join
Poland or remain in Prussia within Germany; 96.7% of the people voted for staying German, but it
would be a rocky road.
and philosophers, Germany's East Prussia suffered greatly from the First World War in physical
damage and civilian deaths. Thousands were deported or forced to flee in wagons and on foot,
many never to return to their devastated homes and farms. With German defeat, East Prussia was
vindictively cut away from her ethnic and cultural roots with Germany by the unjust terms of the
Treaty of Versailles and her population was left physically isolated and unprotected, an island in a sea
of embittered minority factions who now greedily eyed their possible new bounty of free land, homes
and businesses. The material war damage amounted to 1,5 billion Marks. In 1920, plebiscites in
eastern West Prussia and southern East Prussia were held to determine if the areas should join
Poland or remain in Prussia within Germany; 96.7% of the people voted for staying German, but it
would be a rocky road.
| The Aftermath of World War One |
Wilhelm I did accept the title of Emperor and ruled from 1861 to 1888. With Otto
von Bismarck's brilliance, the German Empire was born. The reconstitution of the
ancient German Reich brought back the Reichstag as a parliament with Bismarck
himself as the first imperial chancellor. He would shape the fortunes of Germany
for nearly three decades. His German empire, like its medieval prototype, consisted
of separate constituent states: 4 kingdoms, 5 grand duchies, 13 duchies and
principalities, and the free cities of Hamburg, Lübeck and Bremen. Germany
prospered and grew into a major world power.
von Bismarck's brilliance, the German Empire was born. The reconstitution of the
ancient German Reich brought back the Reichstag as a parliament with Bismarck
himself as the first imperial chancellor. He would shape the fortunes of Germany
for nearly three decades. His German empire, like its medieval prototype, consisted
of separate constituent states: 4 kingdoms, 5 grand duchies, 13 duchies and
principalities, and the free cities of Hamburg, Lübeck and Bremen. Germany
prospered and grew into a major world power.
The two most powerful Confederation members were Austria and Prussia. The Austrian emperor
Franz I lived until 1835 and Friedrich Wilhelm III of Prussia died in 1840; Metternich remained
chancellor of Austria until 1848.With Prussia's extensive new lands, Prussian King Friedrich Wilhelm
had turned all of his territories into a single customs-free zone in 1818 to bind together his somewhat
disjointed extended kingdom and to benefit trade between neighbouring regions. By 1834, the
Zollverein (customs union) covered almost the whole of Germany.
Franz I lived until 1835 and Friedrich Wilhelm III of Prussia died in 1840; Metternich remained
chancellor of Austria until 1848.With Prussia's extensive new lands, Prussian King Friedrich Wilhelm
had turned all of his territories into a single customs-free zone in 1818 to bind together his somewhat
disjointed extended kingdom and to benefit trade between neighbouring regions. By 1834, the
Zollverein (customs union) covered almost the whole of Germany.
The revolutions which sweep through Europe in 1848 sparked riots and unrest,
prompting the king of Prussia Friedrich Wilhelm IV to propose a national assembly
which considered a German constitution. This resulted in elections in the various
German states, while in March of 1849 Austria introduced a new constitution
treating her entire empire, including Hungary and north Italy, as a single unitary
state. Fearful, the German delegates at Frankfurt elected the Prussian king
Friedrich Wilhelm IV as emperor of the Germans. He turned it down.
prompting the king of Prussia Friedrich Wilhelm IV to propose a national assembly
which considered a German constitution. This resulted in elections in the various
German states, while in March of 1849 Austria introduced a new constitution
treating her entire empire, including Hungary and north Italy, as a single unitary
state. Fearful, the German delegates at Frankfurt elected the Prussian king
Friedrich Wilhelm IV as emperor of the Germans. He turned it down.
Then came Napoleon. Prussia attempted to remain neutral, and under the Treaty
of Tilsit in 1807, Russia and Prussia briefly cooperated with Napoleon, but
Napoleon was less than gracious with Prussia. Parts of Poland under Prussian
control were shaved to provide for the grand duchy of Warsaw to be ruled by the
king of Saxony and Prussian territory in the west was taken to make room for the
kingdom of Westphalia. French troops remained in Prussia until a huge financial
indemnity was paid and Prussia had to close her ports to Britain.
of Tilsit in 1807, Russia and Prussia briefly cooperated with Napoleon, but
Napoleon was less than gracious with Prussia. Parts of Poland under Prussian
control were shaved to provide for the grand duchy of Warsaw to be ruled by the
king of Saxony and Prussian territory in the west was taken to make room for the
kingdom of Westphalia. French troops remained in Prussia until a huge financial
indemnity was paid and Prussia had to close her ports to Britain.
A revised version of the Confederation of the
Rhine and the German states now consisted of
thirty-five monarchies and four free cities:
Hamburg, Bremen, Lübeck and Frankfurt. A
Deutscher Bund or German Confederation was
organized from 1815. It was a body with no
legislative powers but a diplomatic assembly of
rulers or their representatives in which the
British king even had a place as the King of
Hanover, as did the Danish Duke of Holstein.
Known as the Bundestag, the assembly met in
Frankfurt and was in succession to the
Reichstag of the defunct Holy Roman empire.
Rhine and the German states now consisted of
thirty-five monarchies and four free cities:
Hamburg, Bremen, Lübeck and Frankfurt. A
Deutscher Bund or German Confederation was
organized from 1815. It was a body with no
legislative powers but a diplomatic assembly of
rulers or their representatives in which the
British king even had a place as the King of
Hanover, as did the Danish Duke of Holstein.
Known as the Bundestag, the assembly met in
Frankfurt and was in succession to the
Reichstag of the defunct Holy Roman empire.
After Napoleon's defeat at Waterloo with the indispensable help of 30,000
Prussians under Friedrich Wilhelm Von Bülow, the countries of Prussia, Austria,
Britain and Russia emerged as the four strong world powers and Prussia had
proper status in the Congress of Vienna, where Prussian king Friedrich Wilhelm
III was represented by Chancellor Prince von Hardenberg. A compromise was
reached which brought Prussia new land in the west up to and beyond the Rhine,
and Prussia became the greatest power of northern Germany.
Prussians under Friedrich Wilhelm Von Bülow, the countries of Prussia, Austria,
Britain and Russia emerged as the four strong world powers and Prussia had
proper status in the Congress of Vienna, where Prussian king Friedrich Wilhelm
III was represented by Chancellor Prince von Hardenberg. A compromise was
reached which brought Prussia new land in the west up to and beyond the Rhine,
and Prussia became the greatest power of northern Germany.
Beethoven composed Symphony No. 9 in d minor, opus 125, commonly known as the Ode to Joy, and gratefully
dedicated it to König Friedrich Wilhelm III. von Preußen.
dedicated it to König Friedrich Wilhelm III. von Preußen.
In 1888, the son of Wilhelm I became German Emperor, but he
died of throat cancer after only 99 days, at which time his son
Wilhelm II took over the throne. Hence, 1888 was known as
the Year of Three Emperors. The Hohenzollerns had lent their
power to the state in the Unification of Germany and in the
creation of the German Empire in 1871. They ruled until they
abdicated the German throne in 1918.
died of throat cancer after only 99 days, at which time his son
Wilhelm II took over the throne. Hence, 1888 was known as
the Year of Three Emperors. The Hohenzollerns had lent their
power to the state in the Unification of Germany and in the
creation of the German Empire in 1871. They ruled until they
abdicated the German throne in 1918.
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. 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.
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. 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.
This achievement 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 and Friedrich III was crowned
Friedrich I of Prussia in Königsberg in 1701. The Hohenzollern, as kings in Prussia,
attained greater prestige and power during the 18th century in good part from the
reforms of the administration and the army undertaken by Friedrich Wilhelm, the
Great Elector of Brandenburg from 1640 and continued by his son and grandson,
the first two Prussian kings.
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 and Friedrich III was crowned
Friedrich I of Prussia in Königsberg in 1701. The Hohenzollern, as kings in Prussia,
attained greater prestige and power during the 18th century in good part from the
reforms of the administration and the army undertaken by Friedrich Wilhelm, the
Great Elector of Brandenburg from 1640 and continued by his son and grandson,
the first two Prussian kings.
Since there was a Polish region between two German regions. Brandenburg acquired
another stretch of Baltic coast in eastern Pomerania in 1648, bridging the territorial
gap between Brandenburg and ducal Prussia. In 1657, the elector Friedrich Wilhelm
of Brandenburg succeeded in that year, through minor warfare 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 in 1660, the international community recognized Prussia as an independent
duchy belonging to Brandenburg.
another stretch of Baltic coast in eastern Pomerania in 1648, bridging the territorial
gap between Brandenburg and ducal Prussia. In 1657, the elector Friedrich Wilhelm
of Brandenburg succeeded in that year, through minor warfare 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 in 1660, the international community recognized Prussia as an independent
duchy belonging to Brandenburg.
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
later 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 and about
50% more people were added to the population of Prussia. On August 29, 1756,
70,000 Prussian soldiers under Friedrich the Great marched into Saxony and
launched the Seven Years War in order to keep it.
the French and Bavarians to join him against Maria Theresa. A series of three
later 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 and about
50% more people were added to the population of Prussia. On August 29, 1756,
70,000 Prussian soldiers under Friedrich the Great marched into Saxony and
launched the Seven Years War in order to keep it.
Friedrich Wilhelm I bequeathed a strong economy with a cash surplus and Europe's best-trained
army to his son, the future Friedrich the Great. Friedrich II inherited the Prussian throne in 1740 at
age twenty-eight. 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. Less than two months later, Friedrich II astonished Europe by
marching a Prussian army into the rich Habsburg province of Silesia. The new Habsburg ruler, 23
year old Maria Theresa, was strong but her Habsburg armies proved no match for the Prussians.
army to his son, the future Friedrich the Great. Friedrich II inherited the Prussian throne in 1740 at
age twenty-eight. 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. Less than two months later, Friedrich II astonished Europe by
marching a Prussian army into the rich Habsburg province of Silesia. The new Habsburg ruler, 23
year old Maria Theresa, was strong but her Habsburg armies proved no match for the Prussians.
East Prussia had been destroyed by plague and famine when Friedrich Wilhelm I took the throne.
Called the 'Soldier King', 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 combined
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.
Called the 'Soldier King', 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 combined
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.
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.
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.
Since then, both Brandenburg and Prussia were ruled by the Hohenzollers. After the devastation of
the Thirty Years' War, its brilliant leaders, the first being the Great Elector Friedrich Wilhelm I,
managed to take backwater Brandenburg to a pinnacle of power and prosperity in Europe. The
capital was moved from the town of Brandenburg to Potsdam and their dukes and electors became
Kings of Prussia. With connections to Frankish Nurnberg, Ansbach and the southern German
Hohenzollerns, as well as to eastern Europe, the Hohenzollerns were one of the most important and
oldest royal families of Europe.
the Thirty Years' War, its brilliant leaders, the first being the Great Elector Friedrich Wilhelm I,
managed to take backwater Brandenburg to a pinnacle of power and prosperity in Europe. The
capital was moved from the town of Brandenburg to Potsdam and their dukes and electors became
Kings of Prussia. With connections to Frankish Nurnberg, Ansbach and the southern German
Hohenzollerns, as well as to eastern Europe, the Hohenzollerns were one of the most important and
oldest royal families of Europe.
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.
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.
Brandenburg then expanded its lands, including among other territories, the Duchy of Prussia in 1618.
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.
Brandenburg then expanded its lands, including among other territories, the Duchy of Prussia in 1618.
