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Chapter 17 Part 2. Eastern European Absolutism Prussia . Prussia (the Hohenzollerns). Brandenburg : Ruler of Brandenburg was designated as one of the 7 electors for the Holy Roman Emperor in 1417 Was once called, “The Sandbox of Europe” - PowerPoint PPT Presentation
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Chapter 17Part 2
Eastern European AbsolutismPrussia
Prussia (the Hohenzollerns) Brandenburg: Ruler of Brandenburg was
designated as one of the 7 electors for the Holy Roman Emperor in 1417
Was once called, “The Sandbox of Europe”
But over time, strategic marriages gave the Hohenzollerns control over much of central and western Germany
BUT the prince of Brandenburg had little power over the Nobility: Junkers
Frederick William (1640-1688)
Called “The Great Elector” (could not be king or emperor because Brandenburg was inside of the HRE
Nephew of Gustavus Adolphus Wife was granddaughter of William
the Silent
Was well-educated…spoke 5 languages
The Great Elector Was a strict Calvinist BUT much
religious toleration: Jews, Catholics and settled 20,000 Huguenots after Louis XIV revoked the Edict of Nantes
Encouraged Industry, Trade, settled Dutch farmers and foreign craftsmen
New industries: wool, cotton, velvet, lace, silk, soap, paper
The Great Elector The only one before Kaiser Wilhelm
II to be interested in foreign trade
Built a canal linking the Elbe and Oder Rivers
Local governments in each province Central government in Berlin
Centralization State of permanent crisis due to :
Ongoing struggle between Poland and Sweden over control of the Baltic states
Wars of Louis XIV
1656-1657 Invasions by Tartars of southern Russia who carried off or killed 50,000
Nobles were vulnerable so…
Nobles gave $ and power to the Elector for defense
Prussian nobles did not join the townsmen resisting royal power
The Great Elector: 2 times the taxes of France for standing army…Nobility taxed too
The Great Elector Believed he was guided by God (but
not exactly divine right)
Oversaw Prussian militarism Created the most efficient army in
Europe Soldiers were also tax collectors and
policemen
Unified Brandenburg, Prussia, Rhine holdings into a single state
Junkers Dominated the Prussian military
officer corps Dominated the estates of
Brandenburg and Prussia
1653: hereditary subjugation of the serfs to compensate the Junkers for their support of the crown
The Great Elector Valued education
Built the Berlin Library The University of Pufendorf
Established Berlin as the capital
Elector Frederick III (1688-1713)
aka first “King” of Prussia (so Frederick I)
Aka “The Ostentatious”
Was the most popular of the Hohenzollerns
Emulated the court of Louis XIV: Dinner announced by 24 trumpeters White satin and gold trim for soldiers’
uniforms Built elaborate palace, servants: blue
satin uniforms
Frederick I Was at war throughout most of his
reign
Fought in the War of the League of Augsburg
Fought in War of the Spanish Succession
Both against Louis XIV Reward: “King” of Prussia in Treaty
of Utrecht
Frederick I Encouraged higher education Founded Halle University Welcomed immigrant scholars Founded an academy of science
Frederick William I (1713-1740)
aka “The Soldiers’ King Was most important of the Hohenzollerns
in terms of building absolutism
Army went from 45,000 to 80,000 Military cost 80% of royal revenue Was obsessed with finding very tall
soldiers Avoided war Was nephew and son-in-law of George I
(England)
Frederick William I (the Soldiers’ King)
Militarism was part of Prussian society
Prussia called, “The Sparta of the North”
Highest virtue: Unquestioning obedience
The most militaristic society of modern times
But avoided military conflict through deterrence
Prussia Had the most efficient bureaucracy in all
of Europe Local self-government and parliamentary
estates forced out Demanded absolute obedience and
discipline from civil servants Fiscals: King’s spies on civil servants Promotions based on merit Some commoners COULD rise to
positions of power
Prussia High levels of taxation Junkers still the backbone of the
army More control over the peasants
given to the Junkers in exchange for support of King’s absolutism
DID establish 1,000 schools for peasant children (educated masses could better serve the state
Frederick II (the Great) 1740-1786
The most powerful and famous of all the Prussian Kings
Was considered an “Enlightened Despot” (later) for incorporating ideas of the Enlightenment into his reign
Will institute many reforms Will increase Prussia’s territory at
the expense of the Hapsburgs (Maria Theresa) and Poland
Frederick the Great Will nearly destroy Prussia in the
War of the Austrian Succession
Will only be saved by actions of Peter III (Russia)
Frederick the Great Childhood a nightmare Father (Soldiers’ King)
micromanaged his son’s time
Frederick the Great’s day as a child was closely supervised from 6:00am) am to 10:30 pm
At age 5 he knew all 54 movements of the army’s drill
Frederick the Great As a young man, he and his best
friend ran away
His father’s agents found them and brought them back
Frederick was forced to watch as his friend was tortured and killed.