Prussia

• The establishment of Prussia


  The Prussian State was established in 1525 by Duke Albrecht of Brandenburg and the Bishop of Warmia.
• Frederick the Great


  Frederick the Great was a notable ruler of Prussia, who unified and centralized the state, and established Prussia as a major European power.
• Prussian expansion


  Prussia expanded its territory through several wars, including the Great Northern War and the Seven Years' War.
• How was the Holy Roman Empire affected by the Thirty Years' War?

  It was completely devastated.
• Who ruled the Electorate of Brandenburg-Prussia since 1640?

  Frederick William.
• What was the Royal House that ruled Brandenburg-Prussia?

  The Royal House of Hohenzollern.
• What language was predominantly spoken in Brandenburg-Prussia?

  German.
• What was the capital of Brandenburg?

  Berlin.
• What was the significance of Frederick William being an elector in the Holy Roman Empire?

  He could cast a vote for the next Holy Roman Emperor.
• How did Frederick William's position as an elector benefit Brandenburg-Prussia?

  It allowed him to elicit bribes and gain greater rights and prestige.
• What was the capital of Ducal Prussia?

  Konigsberg.
• What was the relationship between Ducal Prussia and the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth?

  Ducal Prussia was a vassal state of the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth.
• What problem did Ducal Prussia face due to its status as a vassal state?

  It had two different overlords with potentially conflicting interests.
• What territory did Brandenburg gain that connected it to the Baltic Sea?

  Eastern Pomerania.
• What was Frederick William's ambition regarding trade?

  He sought to emulate the Dutch Republic and become a wealthy trading nation.
• What was the outcome of Frederick William's attempts to create a maritime empire?

  A maritime empire was not Brandenburg-Prussia's destiny.
• What did Frederick William introduce to strengthen Brandenburg-Prussia's international position?

  A standing army.
• What was the size of Frederick William's standing army by about 1655?

  Approximately 25,000 men.
• What major events in the 1650s helped Frederick William assert independence?

  The invasion of the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth by Russia and Sweden.
• How did Frederick William respond to the Swedish invasion?

  He initially attempted to resist but was defeated and later submitted to Swedish overlordship.
• What offer did John II, King of Poland, make to Prussia in 1657?

  Freedom from vassalage if they switched sides.
• What was the outcome of the war by 1660 for Prussia?

  Prussia became a sovereign duchy.
• What was the size of Frederick William's standing army by the 1670s?

  Almost 40,000 men.
• What economic initiative did Frederick William undertake in 1682?

  He granted a charter to the Brandenburg African Company to set up trading posts.
• What marked the end of Frederick William's reign in 1688?


  His death.
• Who succeeded Frederick William after his death?

  His son Frederick.
• What was Frederick's primary concern during his reign?

  To defend the achievements of his father.
• What alliance did Frederick make to safeguard his realm?

  He allied with the Habsburgs.
• What title did Frederick claim in 1701?


  King in Prussia.
• Why was Frederick's title "King in Prussia" significant?

  It avoided confusion with the King of the Romans and the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth.
• What institution did Frederick establish during his reign?

  The Royal Academy of Arts and Sciences of Prussia.
• What was the focus of Frederick William I's reign?

  To centralize the state and control the local nobility.
• What was the Schools' Edict of 1717?


  It expanded primary education throughout the realm.
• How did local nobility respond to the Schools' Edict?

  They were unhappy and resisted implementing it.
• What was Frederick William I's strategy to boost population growth?

  He invited Protestants from across the Holy Roman Empire to settle in Prussia.
• Why did Frederick William I invite Protestants to settle in Prussia?

  They were generally more literate and held specialist trades.
• What nickname is Frederick William I known by?

  The Soldier King.
• What military reforms did Frederick William I implement?

  Army recruitment was streamlined and tactics were improved.
• How did Frederick William I's reforms affect the Prussian army by 1740?

  The army grew to 80,000 strong and became formidable.
• What was Frederick II better known as?

  Frederick the Great.