History of Prussia: Part 1

Introduction

• Video sponsored by Call of War (link in description).
• Initial focus on Brandenburg, territory centered on Berlin.
• Poor quality soil, unremarkable landmarks, and sluggish rivers.
• Landlocked and without defensible natural borders.
• Formed from land seized from Pagan Slavs in the Middle Ages.
• Purchased in 1417 by the House of Hohenzollern for 400,000 Hungarian Gold Guilders.
• Developed into the powerful state of Prussia over time.

Early Expansion and the Protestant Reformation

• Hohenzollerns converted to Protestantism; aimed to expand beyond Brandenburg.
• Focused on strategic marriages rather than military conquest.
• Acquired lands in Northwest Germany and Dukal Prussia.
• Thirty Years War (1618-1648) devastated Brandenburg.
• Population and resources severely impacted.
• George William attempted neutrality but was unsuccessful.

The Great Elector: Frederick William

• Elector from 1640, centralized state control, raised taxes for a capable army.
• Modernized military and gained independence for Dukal Prussia from Poland.
• Acquired land in the Peace of Westphalia, becoming the second-largest state in the Holy Roman Empire.
• Established Brandenburg-Prussia as a stronger entity with significant military power.

Transformation into a Kingdom

• Frederick I crowned King in Prussia in 1701.
• Lavish court culture and significant state budget spent on celebrations.
• Succeeded by Frederick William I who centralized state power and expanded the military through aggressive conscription.
• Introduced the Canton system for organized and reserved military service, allowing for a larger standing army.

Religious and Economic Developments

• Calvinist ruling family with a largely Lutheran population, provided refuge for persecuted Calvinists and wealthy Jews.
• Attempts to grow the economy via regulations, trade policies, and subsidies, though initially unsuccessful.

Frederick the Great

• Frederick the Great, known for his enlightened despotism.
• Loosened censorship laws, ended torture, corresponded with Voltaire, and was likely homosexual.
• Focused energies on military conquests.

Silesian Wars

• First and Second Silesian Wars secured Silesia from Austria, enhancing Prussian prestige.
• Seven Years' War (1756-1763) against Austria, France, Russia, Sweden—Prussia supported by British subsidies.
• Led to immense loss but maintained territorial integrity and great power status.

Final years and Legacy of Frederick the Great

• Proposed and implemented the partition of Poland with Austria and Russia.
• Gained West Prussia, connecting Berlin to Dukal Prussia.
• Ended reign with the Potato War, preventing Austria's inheritance of Bavaria.
• Emmanuel Kant praised Frederick as an ideal enlightened monarch.
• Concerns about the concentration of power in an unworthy king's hands.