Prussian Absolutism (AP Euro Review)
TLDRThis script delves into the rise of Prussia as an absolutist and militaristic state in the 17th and 18th centuries. Highlighting the Hohenzollern dynasty's rule, it emphasizes Frederick William the 'Soldier King' as a key figure in establishing Prussia's disciplined army and society. The script contrasts Prussian militarism with the cultural extravagance of Louis XIV's France and underscores the role of compulsory public education in creating a state-centric citizenry. It also touches on the Prussian strategy of religious toleration and cooperation with the nobility to consolidate power.
Takeaways
- 🤴 Frederick the Great was awakened daily by the firing of a cannon, reflecting the militaristic culture of Prussia.
- 🏰 Prussia originated as Brandenburg, part of the Holy Roman Empire, which was more a confederation than a centralized empire.
- 📍 Brandenburg was located in the northeast corner of the Holy Roman Empire, often referred to as the 'sandbox' due to its sandy soil.
- ⚔️ The Hohenzollern dynasty, including Frederick William the Great Elector and Frederick William I (the Soldier King), ruled Prussia and Brandenburg.
- 👮 Militarism was a key feature distinguishing Prussia from other absolutist states, with a focus on building a strong and efficient military.
- 📊 Despite being the 12th largest country, Prussia had the fourth largest army in Europe, emphasizing the size and influence of its military.
- 🎭 Frederick William I discouraged cultural activities like operas and ballets, viewing them as 'soft' and contrary to the militaristic ethos he sought to instill.
- 💂 The Soldier King was particularly obsessed with discipline, not only in the military but throughout the nation, including the nobility.
- 👨👧👦 He established a system of compulsory public education to produce good citizens and servants of the state, a model that influenced education systems worldwide.
- 🤝 The Prussian nobility, known as Junkers, were co-opted into the state's military and civil service, gaining control over the peasants in return for their service.
- 🕉 Frederick the Great, while known for his enlightened absolutism and friendship with Voltaire, continued the militaristic policies of his predecessors.
Q & A
How was Frederick the Great awakened each morning?
-Frederick the Great was awakened each morning by the firing of a cannon, an unusual and startling alarm clock used by his father.
What was the original state of Prussia before it became Brandenburg-Prussia?
-Prussia originally started as Brandenburg, which was part of the Holy Roman Empire, and was often referred to as the sandbox due to its sandy soil.
What was the Holy Roman Empire's structure according to the script?
-The Holy Roman Empire was more of a confederation or a glorified alliance consisting of various member principalities rather than a unified empire.
How did the territories of Brandenburg and Prussia relate geographically in the early 17th century?
-In the early 17th century, Brandenburg and Prussia were not geographically adjacent; they were united over a 200-year conquest process to eventually form Brandenburg-Prussia.
Who were the rulers of Brandenburg-Prussia known as?
-The rulers of Brandenburg-Prussia were known as the Hohenzollern dynasty, often referred to as the Fredericks.
What was the significance of Frederick William, the Great Elector, in the context of the Holy Roman Empire?
-Frederick William, the Great Elector, was an important figure within the Holy Roman Empire as an elector of the Holy Roman Emperor, despite Brandenburg being a small state in the context of Europe.
Why was militarism a key focus for Frederick William the First, also known as the Soldier King?
-Frederick William the First believed that to be a great power in Europe, Prussia needed a strong military, which led to the emphasis on militarism and making the army a significant part of the state's identity.
How did Prussia's military size compare to other European nations in the 18th century?
-Prussia was the 12th largest country in Europe but had the fourth largest army, indicating a large military presence per capita compared to other nations.
What was the Prussian drill model, and why was it influential?
-The Prussian drill model was a highly efficient military training system that was adopted by armies from the United States to Russia, making it a standard for building strong militaries.
How did Frederick William the First view the arts and culture in relation to building a militaristic state?
-Frederick William the First viewed the arts and culture, such as comedies, operas, and ballets, as 'soft' and not conducive to raising a disciplined, militaristic country.
What was the significance of the establishment of a compulsory public education system in Prussia?
-The establishment of a compulsory public education system in Prussia was a key factor in creating a disciplined citizenry and a strong state apparatus, which later influenced education systems worldwide.
How did the Fredericks handle the relationship with the nobility in their absolutist state?
-The Fredericks cooperated with the nobility, known as Junkers, by integrating them into military and civil service roles, in return for which they were allowed to dominate the peasants under them.
Outlines
🛏️ The Rise of Prussian Absolutism and Militarism
This paragraph delves into the history of Prussia, tracing its origins from Brandenburg within the Holy Roman Empire to its evolution into a formidable absolutist state. It highlights the unique governance style of Frederick the Great's father, who used a cannon's fire as a wake-up call, symbolizing the militaristic culture that would define Prussia. The paragraph also discusses the Holy Roman Empire's structure, the geographical and political challenges faced by Brandenburg and Prussia, and the Hohenzollern dynasty's rule. It emphasizes the importance of militarism in Prussian statecraft, contrasting it with other European powers and setting the stage for the rise of Brandenburg-Prussia.
🎭 The Soldier King's Disciplined Militarism
The second paragraph focuses on the reign of Frederick William I, known as the 'Soldier King,' and his efforts to build a disciplined and militaristic state. It describes his austere lifestyle, his disdain for the arts and luxury, and his obsession with creating a strong military presence, which was emulated by other nations. The paragraph also touches on his unique approach to statecraft, which included religious toleration to unify the state and the enlistment of the nobility, or Junkers, as partners in governance. This partnership allowed the nobility to maintain control over the peasantry, reinforcing the hierarchical structure of Prussian society.
🏫 The Prussian Absolutist State: Education and Governance
The final paragraph examines the formation of the absolutist state in Prussia under the leadership of the Fredericks. It discusses the strategies employed to consolidate power, such as religious toleration, cooperation with the nobility, limiting the influence of representative bodies, and establishing a system of compulsory public education. This education system was designed to produce obedient citizens and capable military leaders, distinguishing Prussia from other European states. The paragraph concludes by emphasizing the key role of militarism in Prussia's identity and success as an absolutist state.
Mindmap
Keywords
💡Frederick the Great
💡Brandenburg-Prussia
💡Holy Roman Empire
💡Absolutism
💡Militarism
💡Junkers
💡Religious Toleration
💡Enlightened Absolutism
💡Prussian Military Academy
💡Public Education
💡Representative Bodies
Highlights
Frederick the Great was awakened daily by the firing of a cannon, symbolizing the militaristic nature of Prussian leadership.
Prussia originated as Brandenburg, part of the Holy Roman Empire, which was more a confederation than a unified empire.
The Holy Roman Empire consisted of various member principalities, symbolized by the double eagle and other symbols of houses and principalities.
Brandenburg, often called the sandbox of the Holy Roman Empire, was known for its sandy soil and strategic location during the 30 Years War.
Prussia and Brandenburg were initially separate territories, united over 200 years to form Brandenburg-Prussia.
The Hohenzollern dynasty, including multiple Fredericks and Frederick Williams, ruled Brandenburg-Prussia and emphasized militarism.
Frederick William, known as the Great Elector, was an important figure in the Holy Roman Empire but not a king, highlighting the small stature of his state.
Frederick William the First, the Soldier King, is a key figure in building the absolutist, militaristic state of Prussia.
Prussia had the fourth largest army in Europe by the 18th century, disproportionate to its size as the 12th largest country.
The Prussian military model influenced armies worldwide, including the United States and Russia, and was taught by figures like Baron von Steuben.
Prussia was known as the 'Sparta of the North' for its intense focus on militarism and discipline.
Frederick William the First despised luxury and promoted extreme discipline, even advising his son to lead a simple, godly life.
The Soldier King's obsession with tall soldiers led to a regiment known as the 'Hot Stone Giants', emphasizing the show of military strength.
Absolutist rulers in Prussia dealt with institutions like the church, nobility, and education to strengthen state power.
Religious toleration was used to weaken the state church apparatus and unify people under the Prussian state rather than a single religion.
The nobility, or Junkers, were brought in as partners in the absolutist state, serving in military and civil service roles.
Prussia established the first system of compulsory public education, a key factor in creating disciplined citizens and soldiers.
The establishment of a disciplined, militaristic state in Prussia was achieved through various strategies including cooperation with the nobility and public education.
Transcripts
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