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 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” Was once called, “The Sandbox of Europe” But over time, strategic marriages gave the Hohenzollerns control over much of central and western Germany 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 BUT the prince of Brandenburg had little power over the Nobility: Junkers

Frederick William ( ) Called “The Great Elector” (could not be king or emperor because Brandenburg was inside of the HRE Called “The Great Elector” (could not be king or emperor because Brandenburg was inside of the HRE Nephew of Gustavus Adolphus Nephew of Gustavus Adolphus Wife was granddaughter of William the Silent Wife was granddaughter of William the Silent Was well-educated…spoke 5 languages 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 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 Encouraged Industry, Trade, settled Dutch farmers and foreign craftsmen New industries: wool, cotton, velvet, lace, silk, soap, paper 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 The only one before Kaiser Wilhelm II to be interested in foreign trade Built a canal linking the Elbe and Oder Rivers Built a canal linking the Elbe and Oder Rivers Local governments in each province Local governments in each province Central government in Berlin Central government in Berlin

Centralization State of permanent crisis due to : State of permanent crisis due to : Ongoing struggle between Poland and Sweden over control of the Baltic states Ongoing struggle between Poland and Sweden over control of the Baltic states Wars of Louis XIV Wars of Louis XIV Invasions by Tartars of southern Russia who carried off or killed 50, 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 Nobles gave $ and power to the Elector for defense Prussian nobles did not join the townsmen resisting royal power 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: 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) Believed he was guided by God (but not exactly divine right) Oversaw Prussian militarism Oversaw Prussian militarism Created the most efficient army in Europe Created the most efficient army in Europe Soldiers were also tax collectors and policemen Soldiers were also tax collectors and policemen Unified Brandenburg, Prussia, Rhine holdings into a single state Unified Brandenburg, Prussia, Rhine holdings into a single state

Junkers Dominated the Prussian military officer corps Dominated the Prussian military officer corps Dominated the estates of Brandenburg and Prussia Dominated the estates of Brandenburg and Prussia 1653: hereditary subjugation of the serfs to compensate the Junkers for their support of the crown 1653: hereditary subjugation of the serfs to compensate the Junkers for their support of the crown

The Great Elector Valued education Valued education Built the Berlin Library Built the Berlin Library The University of Pufendorf The University of Pufendorf Established Berlin as the capital Established Berlin as the capital

Elector Frederick III ( ) aka first “King” of Prussia (so Frederick I) aka first “King” of Prussia (so Frederick I) Aka “The Ostentatious” Aka “The Ostentatious” Was the most popular of the Hohenzollerns Was the most popular of the Hohenzollerns Emulated the court of Louis XIV: Emulated the court of Louis XIV: Dinner announced by 24 trumpeters Dinner announced by 24 trumpeters White satin and gold trim for soldiers’ uniforms White satin and gold trim for soldiers’ uniforms Built elaborate palace, servants: blue satin uniforms Built elaborate palace, servants: blue satin uniforms

Frederick I Was at war throughout most of his reign Was at war throughout most of his reign Fought in the War of the League of Augsburg Fought in the War of the League of Augsburg Fought in War of the Spanish Succession Fought in War of the Spanish Succession Both against Louis XIV Both against Louis XIV Reward: “King” of Prussia in Treaty of Utrecht Reward: “King” of Prussia in Treaty of Utrecht

Frederick I Encouraged higher education Encouraged higher education Founded Halle University Founded Halle University Welcomed immigrant scholars Welcomed immigrant scholars Founded an academy of science Founded an academy of science

Frederick William I ( ) aka “The Soldiers’ King aka “The Soldiers’ King Was most important of the Hohenzollerns in terms of building absolutism Was most important of the Hohenzollerns in terms of building absolutism Army went from 45,000 to 80,000 Army went from 45,000 to 80,000 Military cost 80% of royal revenue Military cost 80% of royal revenue Was obsessed with finding very tall soldiers Was obsessed with finding very tall soldiers Avoided war Avoided war Was nephew and son-in-law of George I (England) Was nephew and son-in-law of George I (England)

Frederick William I (the Soldiers’ King) Militarism was part of Prussian society Militarism was part of Prussian society Prussia called, “The Sparta of the North” Prussia called, “The Sparta of the North” Highest virtue: Unquestioning obedience Highest virtue: Unquestioning obedience The most militaristic society of modern times The most militaristic society of modern times But avoided military conflict through deterrence But avoided military conflict through deterrence

Prussia Had the most efficient bureaucracy in all of Europe Had the most efficient bureaucracy in all of Europe Local self-government and parliamentary estates forced out Local self-government and parliamentary estates forced out Demanded absolute obedience and discipline from civil servants Demanded absolute obedience and discipline from civil servants Fiscals: King’s spies on civil servants Fiscals: King’s spies on civil servants Promotions based on merit Promotions based on merit Some commoners COULD rise to positions of power Some commoners COULD rise to positions of power

Prussia High levels of taxation High levels of taxation Junkers still the backbone of the army Junkers still the backbone of the army More control over the peasants given to the Junkers in exchange for support of King’s absolutism 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 DID establish 1,000 schools for peasant children (educated masses could better serve the state

Frederick II (the Great) The most powerful and famous of all the Prussian Kings 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 Was considered an “Enlightened Despot” (later) for incorporating ideas of the Enlightenment into his reign Will institute many reforms Will institute many reforms Will increase Prussia’s territory at the expense of the Hapsburgs (Maria Theresa) and Poland 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 nearly destroy Prussia in the War of the Austrian Succession Will only be saved by actions of Peter III (Russia) Will only be saved by actions of Peter III (Russia)

Frederick the Great Childhood a nightmare Childhood a nightmare Father (Soldiers’ King) micromanaged his son’s time 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 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 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 As a young man, he and his best friend ran away His father’s agents found them and brought them back His father’s agents found them and brought them back Frederick was forced to watch as his friend was tortured and killed. Frederick was forced to watch as his friend was tortured and killed.