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.