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Absolutism: Prussia

Hohenzollern Dynasty Created by: ~Marjorie Lizarzaburu ~Amira Sparks~Olivia Raulf ~Dj Wissing~Sydney Solimani ~Ellie Zgoda

{Ruled;

1640-1688

The Great Elector

Background

o His name was Frederick William Elector of Brandenburgo His father George William was king during the Thirty

Years War in which Prussian territories ravaged and were left in ashes

o His father was a predecessor and sort of brought Prussia down

o The Great Elector took his fathers throne in 1640o He was part of the Calvinist faitho Helped setup Prussia with the growth of wealth and

power to kick start the country for future progress

o After Thirty Years War-negotiated armistice with Sweden and built military

o Raised efficient armyo Strengthened central administrationo By Treaty of Westphalia- able to take over Eastern

Pomerania from Swedeno Promoted tradeo Reorganized state financeso Rebuilt towns and citieso One of first to establish Prussian stateo Admitted Polish Jews and French Huguenots to promote

Prussian economy- Established system of taxationo Continued to extend power of crown

Accomplishments

Failures

o Didn’t understand politics o Failed to deter other countries by showing off army

Characteristics

o Control of the armed forceso Was able to build up army after Thirty Year’s War

o Centralized political powero After the Thirty Year’s war, he unified the country of Prussia

{Ruled;

1713-1740

Frederick William I

Backgroundo Frederick William I was known as the soldier kingo Born in August of 1688 in Berlino He was the first absolute ruler in Prussia o Made sure his small country was ready to defend itselfo Centralized and helped Prussia grow a lot o He helped Prussia build a powerful army and brought a

ton of wealth to the countryo Also he ran a rigid economy that included lots of farming.o Frederick William I came to power due to his father

Frederick I who was the king for the margraves of Brandenburg.

o First Hohenzollern monarch to rule with absolute power in Prussia

o Developed Prussian government into centralized organizationo Gave Prussia a strong and disciplined militaryo Strengthened Prussian economyo Contributed to civil service reformso Increased efficiency/ discipline of militaryo Replaced military service with an annual taxo Established primary schoolso Resettled East Prussiao Created the General-Ober-Finanz-Kriegsund

Domänendirektorium, known as the Generaldirektorium (General Directory)o Functioned as an administrative board

Accomplishments

Failures

o Unsuccessfully tried to take Pomerania from Sweden in 1679

Characteristics

o Control of armed forceso Created a strong military program

o Control of nobles, legislative bodies, and any groups that threatened the monarchs powero Gave Prussian nobles positions in the government and army

{Ruled;

1740-1786

Frederick the Great

Background

o Frederick the Great also known as Frederick II o Took the throne after his father Frederick William I

died in 1740o He called himself the first servant of Prussia because

of how much he gave and did for the country.o He followed in his fathers footsteps by furthering the

economy by exporting goods.o He was a main factor in enlightened absolutism.o Frederick The Great was the Successor of Prussia

with his father Frederick William I being the pre-successor.

o Seized Silesiao Sparked war of the Austrian Succession

o Extended territory of Prussiao Used army to force others to recognize Prussia as a

great powero Earned name Frederick the Great

o Built a strong armyo United power in Prussiao Brought Prussia to have great power and wealth

Accomplishments

o Strengthened economy- exporting materials and foodo Mined natural resources in demando Improved farmingo Generated wealth

o Created fair and lawful Prussian societyo Extended religious freedomo Raised law judges salaries

Accomplishments (Cont.)

Failures

o Had some failures with the Oblique order of battleo Failures made army bettero Ineffective foreign policy “skills”

Characteristics

o Control of the armed forceso Expanded the Prussian territory

o Increased revenue for Prussiao More exports than imports