In the early Middle Ages, Prussia was a wild place, and the ancient inhabitants were ancient PrussiansPrussianbelong toBaltic group , andLatviaPeople andLithuaniaPeople belong to the same race.In 928, Brandenburg was alreadyDuke of Saxony Henry, the bird catcher, built the city and later inherited and changed hands among different families.
In the 12th century, the German colonial movement began to enterthe BalticEast coast area.
In 1170,PomeraniaSobi ofSlauThe Duke established his first colony in Prussia, namelyDanzeNearby OlivaMonasteryIn 1224, the monastery was burned down by the ancient Prussians.
In 1226,Kingdom of PolandDuke Conrad, son of the king and head of Mazowia（Teutonic KnightsMembers) were also attacked by the ancient Prussians, taking this as an opportunity,Teutonic KnightsLaunched the Eastern Expedition in Prussia for nearly 200 years, and successively establishedTolen、MalinburgThe fortresses of Kurm, Elping, etc. conquered the areas inhabited by Prussians, and Prussia became the territory of Teutonic Knights. The Germans, PolesLithuaniaPeople and other European races came to immigrate.The Teutonic Knights forced him to convert to Christianity and use German.
Teutonic KnightsPrussia under the rule belongs to the papal territory in name, but the pope only enjoys the nominalSuzerainty。In order to attract settlers, the Teutonic KnightsHanseatic LeagueThe law has built a series ofFree market。
1370polandThe royal family died in 1386stephan bathory His daughter, Hedwig, married the Grand Duke of Lithuania, Poland andLithuaniaAfter that, they launched a series of attacks on the Teutonic Knights who guarded their sea outfall.
On July 15, 1410Battle of Tannenberg The Teutonic Knights were defeated by the joint forces of Poland and Lithuania and were forced to signThe first Tolem Peace TreatyIn addition to the compensation of 6 million grosshins, it also placed Danzig under Polish sovereignty.
In 1466, the Teutonic Knights were defeated againThirteen Year War , onThe Second Tolem Peace TreatyForced cession includesDanzeAnd MalinburgWest Prussia 。These areas are known as "Royal Prussia".The Teutonic Knights retained the remaining territory of Prussia, but were forced to serve the Polish king and become PolishVassal state。
After the 16th century, the Prussians assimilated to the GermansPrussianIt also gradually disappeared.
In 1512, Albert from Brandenburg was elected TeutonKnightsHead of the delegation.In 1525, he announced his conversion to Lutheran religion, thus cutting off the nominal patriarch of the KnightsRomeThe Vatican then announced that it wouldTeutonic KnightsSecularization, changed toDuchy of Prussia (Dukal Prussia), Albert himselfAlbrecht von Brandenburg-Ansbach-Preussen , become submissive topolandA secular monarch under supreme power.
Albert Frederick, the son of Albert, died childless, so the Principality of Prussia was married by his eldest daughterBrandenburgJohn Sigmund ofHohenzollern family ）Inherited, establishedBrandenburg Prussiaprincipality.This isHohensorum DynastyThe foundation has been laid for future development.
1660Sweden-polandIn the war, Brandenburg elected the monarchFriedrich Wilhelm Via《Treaty of Oliva 》It cancelled Poland's suzerainty over Prussia, gained recognition of the sovereignty of the Principality of Prussia from Sweden, Poland and other countries, suppressed domestic hierarchical meetings, and established a centralizedpolitical system。
As a result of inheriting the military autocratic tradition of the Teutonic Knights, the Prussian army has always been disciplinedEducational qualityBe famous, especiallyFriedrich II (i.eFrederick the Great ）It is famous for its bravery and fighting ability.He inherited the throne in 1740 and attacked Silesia seven months after assuming the throne, which triggeredWar of the Austrian Succession 。
Through the war, Prussia gained the rich industrial area of Silesia in Austria.Friedrich II It established the personal honor of "military genius" and turned Prussia into a military country.Frederick II alsoVoltaireThey acceptedEnlightenmentThought, improve the judicial and educational system, encourageFreedom of religious beliefAnd foster the development of science and art.
By the time Frederick II died in 1786, Prussia had become one of the powerful countries in Europe, and its administrative institutions were the most efficient and honest in Europe.
After Frederick William II, the nephew of Frederick II, succeeded to the throne,Direct purchaseHasAnsbachprincipalityandBayreuthHou Guo also divided Poland for the second and third times.
French RevolutionAfter the outbreak, Prussia participatedAnti French AllianceHowever, he was defeated by the French army and was forced to allow France to annex Prussia to the west of the Rhine in 1795.Its sonFriedrich Wilhelm III (enthroned in 1797) in October 1806Anti French WarAnd was immediately defeated in JenaNapoleon, forced to flee to Konesburg.
In 1807, Prussia and France concluded a peace treaty at Tilsit on the Neman River, and Prussia ceded 160000 yuansquare kilometreLand, including most of the territory of Poland (second, secondDivide Poland three timesIncome, andFirst Partition of Poland The southern half of the acquired territory), andElbe RiverAll the territories west of China, and paid 130 million yuan in compensationfranc。
After the defeat in 1806, the Prime Minister of Prussia Carl Stein began to carry out reforms. The measures include letting citizens participate in politics to awaken hisnationalismEmotion;Release serfs;implementlocal self-government；Reorganization of central government institutions.
In 1809BerlinFounded Frederick William University（University of Berlin）At the same time, Gerhard von·ShanhorstBegin to reform the Prussian army.Since then, Prussia's patriotism has risen.
In the winter of 1812,NapoleonThe army retreated from Russia, and Prussia joined again the following yearAnti French Alliance, declared war on France on March 17, 1813, and on October 24, the combined forces of Prussia, Austria and RussiaBlucherUnder the command of GnessenauLeipzigA crushing defeatFrench Army。
In 1815, the general armyWaterlooDefeat the French again.
On September 22, 1862,William IappointmentBismarckServe as Prime Minister.After Bismarck came to power, he began to planUnification of Germany Great cause.Bismarck advocated the establishment ofAustria"Little Germany" excluded.
Prussia defeated in 1864Denmark, capture Schleswig Holstein.1866Austro-Prussian War Defeat Austria and withdraw it from Germany.Prussia annexedHanover, Frankfurt and other places, and was established in 1867North German Confederation 。1871Franco-Prussian War Defeat France, unify Germany, establishGerman EmpirePrussia continued to exist as a great nation that played an important role in the empire.
In 1888,William ISon ofFriedrich III He died after 99 days in office, his grandsonWilliam II He ascended the throne and became the third generation emperor of the German Empire.Under its rule, Germanythe First World WarIt ended in failure.
On November 7, 1918, the revolution took place in Bavaria, and its king abdicated.BerlinThe revolution broke out immediately, demanding the German emperor to abdicate.At that timeWilliam II stayBelgiumGerman Army in SpaBase campHe personally commanded the battle. After learning of the revolution, he tried to give up the title of the German emperor and retain the title of the Prussian king, but the army commander Hindenburg advised him to abdicate completely.
becauseBerlinhappenSpartak RegimentAnd the Social Democratic Partyprovisional governmentIn 1919, AlbertWeimar The National Assembly was convened and the Provisional Act of the German Republic was passed on February 10, namelyWeimarer Verfassung 。According to the Weimar Constitution, Prussia became a state in Germany, namely“Freistaat Preuen ”(Freistaat Preussisch;), which implements local autonomy, is the territory of the former Prussian Kingdom.
In 1920s, the government of Prussia Free State was mainlyGerman Social Democratic PartyAnd the Catholic Central Party.In 1932,Nazi PartyTo gain an advantage in the German Parliament and Prussia elections,Hermann Goering Became the Speaker of the German Parliament and the Speaker of the Prussian State, and mastered PrussiaMinistry of the InteriorAnd the police.The Nazi Party came to power on January 30, 1933, and then abolished the German system of local self-government,Prussian ConstitutionAbolished, State Councils andLegislatureDissolved, reserved onlyAdministrative unit。
the Second World WarMedium,AlliesandSoviet UnionAfter many meetings, the leaders ofGerman Army CorpsandJuncker nobilityGermany's autocratic and aggressive ideologyPlace of originMust be eliminated.President Roosevelt of the United StatesTehran ConferenceIt was said that "Prussia should shrink and weaken it as much as possible", while Churchill believed that "Prussia, the criminal core of German militarism, must be separated from the rest of Germany".Yalta ConferenceandPotsdam Conference It is established thatEast PrussiaIncorporated into Poland and the Soviet Union, and abolished the Prussian system in Germany after the warPrincipleopinion.
On February 25, 1947, the Allies faced GermanyMilitary controlThe Allied Kontrol Kouncil officially ordered the abolition of Prussian institutions.(Decree No. 46) The territory of the former Prussia was merged into Poland and the Soviet Union, as well as Britain, France, the United States and the Soviet Unionoccupation zone。The property of the former Prussian government was shared by the allies and the Soviet Union.
Among the German states, Prussia is the only force that can compete with Austria.Prussia is one of the most important countries in Germany with the widest territory, the strongest strength and the most important position.Since the 17th century, it has been influencing the whole history of Germany.
Prussia developed by expanding its territory.
The rulers of Prussia areHohenzollern family 。As early as the 10th century, the Hohensorum family ruledSwitzerlandA castle on Mount Soren in the north.In the 12th century, the representatives of this family becameNuremberg The lord of the city.
Representative of the family in 1415Frederick IfromHoly Roman EmperorWhere Brandenburg territory andelector Title of.Brandenburg is located in the northeast border of Germany, often fighting with neighboring Slavs, so its army has gained rich military experience.
In the religious reform in the 16th century,Brandenburg ElectorHaving accepted Lutheranism and seized the land and property of the Catholic Church, Brandenburg became an important Protestant country.
By the beginning of the 16th century, the Elector Marquis John Sigmund, in the name of his wife, had acquired the territory of the Duke of Klefts in the lower reaches of the Rhine River and the marquises of Marque and Ravensburg.
In 1618, the Elector won the vassal state of Poland——East PrussiaTherefore, he jumped from the Brandenburg Elector to the Brandenburg Prussian Elector.In order to obtain East Prussia, he would not hesitate to pay tribute to the Polish king.
Thirty Year WarAt the end (1648), the ElectorFriedrich Wilhelm Annexation of the EastPomeraniaAnd several small territories in the Weser River basin and the Elbe River basin.In the same year, he took the opportunity of the new king of Poland's accession to the throne to get rid of his minister to PolandGenus relationship。
By 1701, the emperor electFrederick IAnd participated inWar of the Spanish Succession Is a condition, fromHoly Roman EmperorThere, the title of King of Prussia was obtained.Thus, the Brandenburg Prussian Elector became the King of Prussia.
staySeven Year WarPrussia also captured Silesia from Austria.
1772partition poland WhenWest Prussia （GdanskAnd Tolen), thus connecting Brandenburg with East Prussia.The original territory of Brandenburg was only 23751 square kilometers. By 1772, the territory of the Kingdom of Prussia had increased to 194891 square kilometers.
The rise of Prussia has its economic premise.
It is on the basis of economic prosperity after the 17th century that this country can become strong and prosperous.There are two reasons for Prussia's economic prosperity:
First, Brandenburg's geographical locationeconomic developmentFavorable.Transfer of trade routes from Mediterranean toAtlanticAlong the coast, although it caused the decline and stagnation of the entire German economy, it promoted the economic prosperity of Brandenburg.The transfer of trade routes forced individual regions of South Germany and China Germany to seek trade exports to the North Sea coast, and Brandenburg became the only way.
Second,Hohensorum DynastyThe policy of protecting industry and commerce promoted the economic development of Prussia.To increaserevenueAs early as the reign of the Elector Frederick William (1640-1688), he began to reward industrial and commercial development.
1685French governmentAfter the cancellation of the Edict of Nantes, the Huguenots fled abroad.Frederick William ordered to take in French exiles and give them preferential treatment.By 1703, about 20000 French Huguenots and 13000 Protestants from other countries had settled in Brandenburg.They are mainly skilled handicraftsmen and capable businessmen, so they bring capital and technology here.These new immigrants establishedWollensAnd cotton weavingHandicraft workshop, process and produce silkvelvet, candles, silk ribbons, etc.However, under the conditions of the existence of serfdom, the source of free labor is very limited.In order to solve the labor problem, Frederick William usedcriminalAnd prisonerstrampAnd beggars as labor force for new industries.His grandsonFrederick William I(1713-1740) Continue to implement this policy, and he gave special rewardsMilitary industry, such asWoolen clothIndustry.
Prussia grew from small to large, from weak to strong, and also because it pursued a militaristic policy.
When Frederick William, the Elector, ascended the throneThirty Year WarBrandenburg was occupied by the Swedish army.He personally realized that the army was the foundation of the country, so he decided to learn from Sweden and establish astanding army。
In 1653, he andJuncker nobilityReach an agreement: allow Juncker to exercisepolice powerandJurisdiction；Juncker agreed to levy a "military tax" on the Electors in order to create a standing army.In this agreement, the Elector also agreed to let Juncker serve as an officer of the Standing Army.From then on, Juncker had an indissoluble bond with the Prussian army.Since Frederick William, Prussia has become a powerful military machine.During the reign of Frederick William I, the number of Prussian troops almost doubled to 85460, equivalent to 4% of the national population.In Europe, Prussia ranks 13th in terms of population, but the number of its troops ranks 4th. Three quarters of the country's fiscal revenue is spent on military affairs.Blind obedience is practiced in the army. Juncker born officers can whip their soldiers at will. Some soldiers often commit suicide because they are ill treated by officers.Military discipline is very strict in peacetime, but when it comes to wartime, officers connive at soldiers burning, killing and looting.
Prussian militarism is closely linked with the Juncker class.The Juncker class actively supports the militaristic policy because it has brought them many benefits. First, by implementing militarism and aggressive expansion, they can obtain new real estate.Second, with the expansion of national territory,administration officeIt also expanded, which provided more opportunities for Juncker's children to become officials.Third, strengthenmilitary force, and correspondingly increased the number of officers, thus providing more officer positions for Juncker's children.
The Juncker class has a strongEconomic powerTheir economic strength is based on serfdom.German“Serfdom Second Edition”It is most outstanding in Prussia.From the 16th century to the first half of the 17th century, the farmers in Prussia, especially in the area east of the Elbe River, were again herded.They were completely tied to the land and forced to provideServitude rentAnd service rent.The serfs worked on the lord's land for 4-6 days a week.In 1710, an official wrote in his report: "Land rent, labor service, taxes, soldiers stationed andTribute fuIt is difficult for the people to sustain the constant increase of such factors;The serfs were always poor and getting poorer. As always, they had no choice but to flee... "
Prussia's bureaucracy was also established by the strength of the army.
Originally in some areas of PrussiaRight to taxIn the hands of the level meetings in each territory, butFrederick William collected taxes by force.He once sent troops to threaten with force, forcing Klefts and Markus to accept new taxes.Then he turned this new tax into a factPermanentTax revenue, thus depriving the main authority of the hierarchy meeting - the right to collect taxes.Finally, since taxes in various regions were mainly used for military expenditure, he handed over tax affairs to the military, and set up a military headquarters under which military affairs were set upFinance OfficeAnd send officers to various places to be responsible for collecting taxes.These officers work by means of military orders, and soonScope of workIt expanded to the whole economic field and pushed aside the existing administrative institutions in various regions, including the conferences of various territorial levels and municipal self-government authorities.
Through the military headquarters, Frederick William established a unified bureaucracyadministrative systemThe soul of this system is the army.
In 1723, he set up the "Financial, Military and Royal Territory Supreme General Management Office" directly under the king as the highest administrative body to manage the country.The "Cao King" managed the country by managing the army, believing that an autocratic monarch best understood what his people needed.He once said, "I am a monarch, so I can do whatever I want." Under his rule, Prussia developed into a highly centralized autocratic country, with military camp style discipline andranking systemDominate the wholecivil life。By this time, the so-called "Prussian spirit" had taken shape, and its formula wasAbsolutismAdd militarism.
historical background
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Germany is a nationOpening and closingindefiniteCountry.The Holy Roman Empire is a loose alliance of lords with a false name. At most, there are thousands of states in the country;After hundreds of years of hard work, Germany finally achieved the first national reunification from Prussia in 1871. However, due to the failure of the two wars, the country split again, and it was not until 1990 that Germany reunified again.It can be said that a German history is aEthnic split, the history of unification, re division and re unification.In this sense,Ethnic issues(or to seek national unity) has become a common practice throughout GermanyModern HistoryA main line of.Why do we say that the rise of the Prussian Kingdom is of historical significance? It is because the great cause of German reunification was ultimately completed by Prussia.So, what kind of "magic power" did Prussia, which was surrounded by a great power in Europe and surrounded by many princes in Germany and had a small population and territory, gradually grow from weak to strong and develop step by step?
From 1618 to 1648,Continental EuropeThe feudal monarchs in Germany carried out a protracted "Thirty Year War".This war enabled the British bourgeoisie to escape the intervention of European feudal monarchs and win, but it made Germany decline completely.As the main battlefield of this cruel war, five out of six villages in Germany were destroyed, and the population was reduced by more than one third.Farmers became destitute, struggling with hunger and death.The war is overAfter that, Germany was still just a nominal "country" that was fragmented, dilapidated and full of princes.According to the Westphalia Peace Treaty, France and Sweden, the winners of the Thirty Year War, have the right to guarantee the independence of German states in internal affairs and diplomacy, and each state has full rights to sign treaties with any European country.In this way, the division of Germany was finally determined.To what extent did Germany split after the Thirty Year War? There is a set of data that can explain the problem: there were 360 independent states and 1500 semi independent territories in Germany at that time.The vast majority of states have very small territory. For example, in Westphalia, each state has an average of more than 20 square miles.But the monarchs of all these states are very conceited, and they have established their own complete autocratic system regardless of the size of their states,National institutionsSound, but also have an army.Sometimes an army consists of only 12 soldiers.
In this unprecedented situation of ethnic division, a Prussian society with order, authority of the central government, efficiency of the government, and combat effectiveness of the military is very different.It should be noted that in modern Europe, the rise of any country was not a gentle, gentle and graceful journey. In the turbulent era of the law of the jungle, Prussia was doomed to use fire and sword to pave its way to the king from the very beginning.
characteristic
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（1） PursuePioneer politics, pay attention to national defense construction
burgeoningKingdom of PrussiaIt is a small country with a weak family, and is nicknamed by the great powers“Iron canAn earthenware pot in the pile "is always in danger of national ruin and family ruin.Therefore, since the founding of the Prussian Kingdom in 1701, the rulers of all dynasties have taken strengthening the army as their main means of survival and development.
PrussianMilitarismVery outstanding, 1740Friedrich II After his accession to the throne, under his iron hand rule for more than 20 years, the number of the general army has soared from 70000 to 200000, accounting for 9.4% of the national population,Military expenditureThe expenditure will cost 4/5 of the total government budget every year.At that time, Prussia was only the tenth largest in area and the thirteenth largest in population in Europe, but its army ranked the fourth in Europe.And this figure is the successor of Frederick IIWilliam II The number of people there has increased to 235000.Someone once described Prussian militarism as follows: "For other countries, the country owns an army; for Prussia, the army owns a country."
Prussia's militarism is so distinctive that its belligerence directly contributed to the later Bismarck“Iron and blood policy”And then became two timesWorld WarReason for.
(II)JunckerLong term controlState powerAnd become the only class capable of leading the cause of national reunification
Prussia is a Juncker country, where the strength of the civil class is very weak.On the one hand, because of the destruction of the warhandicraft industryThe development is slow, and itsEconomic aggregateThey account for less than 10%, and their market is largely dependent on feudalismPrinces and nobilityOfLiving consumptionAnd government military expenditure;On the other hand, when Britain and France had already overcomeguildWhen the tradition of,GermanyHowever, the handicraft industry is still under the control of the guild, the ancient laws and regulations are still strictly implemented, and all paths that can promote competition and innovation are mercilessly blocked by feudal shackles.EconomicdependenceAs well as the inherent weakness of their own strength, the German bourgeoisie was politically cowardly and subservient to feudal power.
The peasants were also powerless to resist the powerful feudal autocratic monarchy.Greatpeasant 's war, but was finally brutally suppressed, andThirty Year WarIs completely destroyedpeasant classThe last resistance force, the landlord became the only master in the countryside, and the serfdom system that forced farmers to perform labor became a universal system in Germany, which was particularly prominent in Prussia.
Marx and Engels planned to unite scattered workers' organizations in Germany into a nationalpolitical organization In order to advance the revolution.However, this condition does not exist in Germany, which is economically backward and politically dispersed.At that time, the German working class was still very immature, and most of them were stillhandicraftsmanAnd basically followbourgeois classYes.And because of the powerful feudal forcesBourgeois liberalsThe 1848 revolution was suppressed throughout Germany, and the labor movement was at a low ebb for a long time.
Since neither the bourgeoisie nor the peasants are able to accomplish the great cause of German reunification, their strength is still very weakproletariatAnd it is far from mature politically, so this task falls to the Prussian nobility historicallylandlord classJuncker.
（3） The royal power is strong, while developing on the premise of preserving Juncker's feudal privilegescapitalism
Juncker economy controls the countryEconomic lifeline，Junker landlordMonopoly the export of grain, free of payment at the same timeExport tariff。stayPrussian ArmyJuncker occupied all the officer positions.PrussianSerfdomUnlike early serfdom, it wascommodity productionDevelopment results.As food and various agricultural products become increasingly important commodities and prices rise,agricultural productionBecome profitable.So the Junker landlord began to seize the farmers' land and merge it into a big farmmarket development Capitalist commodity production.
Serfdom is only embodied in PrussiaNational systemIn one aspect, its deeper significance lies in highlighting Prussian highly centralizedAbsolute monarchyFeatures.And this onePolitical systemGuarantee is indispensable for the rise of any modern European power.Peter I GovernedRussiaSo,Louis XIVThe same is true of France, and Prussia is no exception.
After the failure of the revolution in 1848, although Prussia was not likeAustriaThat restores the puremonarchyInstead, it maintained the alliance between the landlord class and the big bourgeoisie, but the nobility remained in the allianceLeadershipThe king still has supreme authority.Although Parliament existsUpper HouseThe House of Lords is composed of dignitaries appointed by the king, while the House of Commons（House of Representatives）With the help of unequalThree-tier electoral systemIt ensured the majority status of the nobility and the big bourgeoisie. Therefore, the autocratic monarchy of Prussia continued and even consolidated under the guise of democracy.
Causes
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Serfdom strengthened Juncker's political dominance
fromsocial developmentFrom the perspective ofProduction mode。The serfs not only worked for the landlords for free, but also provided their own livestock and farm tools. Their property was arbitrarily deprived, and there was nothingPersonal freedom, imprisoned in the landlord's farm and not allowed to move.It is generally believed that the existence of serfdom will seriously hinder the development of productive forces.However, if we put this system in the historical background of Prussia's rise, we will find something unusual.Today, people can criticize Frederick II for "strengthening the military Juncker landlord" in Prussiadictatorial systemIt is a historical retrogression, but it ignores the most basic fact that the pillar of the Prussian kingdom was the nobility, and the strength of the nobility was to occupy vast land and exploit serfs.From this point of view, there would be no Juncker without serfdom, and without Juncker's support, the powerful Prussian monarchy would only be empty words.
Pursue Mercantilism and Pay Attention to Economic Development
The main rivers in Germany that go northward are as followsRhine、Weser River、Elbe River、Oder RiverIt flows through the territory of Brandenburg, which gives Prussia an advantage in economic developmentgeographical position。The rulers of Prussia also regarded industry and commerce as an important wealthcanal, bridge and road construction, unificationMonetary system, ImplementationProtective tariffTo develop the economy.At the same time, Prussia also paid attention to developing overseas markets. In 1788, it had exported more than 11000 tons of pig iron to Britain.By the 1880s, Prussia had established three trading companies:mediterranean seaEast Trading Company, China Trading Company and Bangladesh Trading Company.
Encourage immigrants to take in Protestants
Martin Luther's religious reform and the victory of the German Protestant Union in the Thirty Year War made Prussia a paradise in Europe to escape religious persecution at that time.By 1703, about 20000 Huguenots had moved from France to Brandenburg to settle down, accounting for 1/9 of the city's residents at that time.These people were skilled craftsmen or businessmen with certain capital. As a result, French industry and commerce suffered heavy losses, while Prussia benefited.In addition to French immigrants, there are also a large number of immigrants from other countries entering the country.According to statistics, by 1740, Prussia had a population of 2.4 million, of which foreign immigrants alone accounted for a quarter, up to 600000.Brandenburg was the hardest hit area of the Thirty Year War, and immigrants injected great vitality into its revival, which made Prussia realize earlier than other German statesEconomic recoveryAnd soaring.
Rulers have a strong sense of hardship and less fall into corruption
And thenEuropean royal familyThe prevailing extravagance was quite different. Several generations of Prussian rulers were almost masochistic and lived a frugal life of Puritanism, in order to save valuable military and government expenditure.such asFriedrich II 's fatherWilliam I(It was two people with the later emperor of the same name.) During his reign, Prussian diplomatic envoys were "famous" in Europe for their poverty and filthiness.And the distinguished members of the royal family, whether princes or princesses,OrIt was the princess and even the king himself, whose food was poorly cooked, and the food was simple and meager, almost to the point of hunger.As thrift has reached the point of stinginess, people call William I the "Beggar King" behind his back.
His successor Frederick II was more like the King of YueGou JianHe is tough and hardworking, and he only sleeps four hours a day.You should take care of everything in person.He also called on the people to be diligent and thrifty and set an example to absolutely prohibit the extravagance of the court.He usually only wears soldier's clothes, and only has one dress in his life.Twenty years after the death of Frederick II,NapoleonstayBattle of JenaDefeat the general army and arrive at thePotsdamOfFriedrich II In front of the tomb.For NapoleonHorsewhipPointing at the tombstone, the generals under him said, "If he were alive, we would not stand here".
The ruling class can follow the trend and promote various reforms in a timely manner
The ruling class of Prussia is not just like the feudal aristocracy in other European countries, who blindly follow the beaten track and stubbornly refuse all changes.They are good at sizing up the situation and pushing forward the reform from top to bottom (of course, they are also forced by the situation), and firmly control the leadership of the reform, so that they not only conform to the historical trend, but also prevent themselves from being sidelined.AndAustrian Habsburg DynastyThe process of reform is different. Most of Prussian monarchs were able to adhere to the reform, rather than abandon the achievements of their predecessors halfway, which not only ensures thecontinuityAnd make the whole country maintain the upward momentum all the time.
Take Prussia's serfdom reform as an example,Napoleonic Wars During this period, Prussia suffered a series of disastrous defeats and nearly lost its country.The defeat of the war and the signing of the humiliating peace treaty made Prussians see the decline of the serfdom society more and more clearly from the contest between feudal Germany and capitalist France.A batch of them are deeply influenced by Britain and Francebourgeois ideasInfluential men of insight cried out for reform of the old feudal order.Under such severe circumstances, Prussia began a difficult reform.In October 1807Baron SteinPromulgated the policy of liberating farmers“October edict”, making Prussia finallyfeudal serfdom A major step has been taken on the road of transformation to a bourgeois society.
However, the first round of reform was not complete, which made the bourgeois liberals in Prussia very dissatisfied with Juncker's continued occupation of a large amount of land and manpower, so they had a chance toBackwardThe Republic opposes monarchy.In order to collude with each other and coordinate interests so as to consolidate political power,Junker landlord classIn March 1850, the government promulgated the Law on Adjusting the Relationship between Landlords and Farmers, which finally completed the serfdom reform that began in 1807.As a result of the reform, the capitalists got what they needed to develop large industriesCheap laborThe bourgeoisie is satisfied with the monarchy;By collecting high ransom from serfs, a large amount of land and wealth were quickly accumulated toJunckerIn their hands, the landlord class also made windfall profits;However, only farmers went bankrupt one after another, lost their land and livestock, and became semi proletarians in large numbers, and then became employed workers in capitalist factories and Juncker Manor.This "experience" of the Prussian ruling class was later in 1861Tsarist RussiaThe reform of serfdom provided an excellent "model" to follow.
The Awakening of German National Consciousness
The rise of Prussia, the most important factor is the human factor.Since the 16th century, due to division, Germany is not aPolitical entities, andGerman nationIt is also considered as a nation without vitality.It was this long-term humiliation and contempt that inspired the German enterprising spirit of self-improvement and internalized it as the source of strength for the rise of Prussia.
It is also because of this spirit that they are encouraged to learn advanced things from foreign countries and vigorously set up education.In this regard, the achievements of the Kingdom of Prussia are most praised by later generations - to implementnationalismEducation, compulsory since 1717 in Prussianational educationIs the first implementation in the worldcompulsory educationCountry.It is worth noting that Frederick II promulgated the School Regulations in 1763, forcing children aged 5-14 to go to school, and appointed veterans as principals to approve studentsmilitary training。All these have laid a solid foundation for Prussia to form a highly disciplined and high-quality army in the future.In 1809, Humboldt became the highest education officer in Prussiasystem of educationThe reform has become Germany's scienceCultural developmentThe foundation stone ofUniversity of Berlin, as the world's firstNew universities, which affected all countries in the 19th centuryHigher Educationdevelopment.
In Prussia, military service and education are regarded as citizensBasic obligations。According to statistics, Germany'sIlliteracy rateIt is the lowest level. German people can read, writeComputing powerGo, orscientific theoryIn terms of practical application, we should be ahead of European countries.
Be good at using diplomatic means to maximize the interests of the country
Either Frederick II, the early King of Prussia, or the later Prime MinisterBismarckThey were recognized as one of the most astute diplomats at that time.Although these people can be described as "treacherous, greedy and treacherous" in order to achieve their own goals, it is undeniable that without their superb diplomatic skills, it is difficult to imagine Prussia could survive and grow in Europe surrounded by great powers.
The most basic diplomatic strategy of Prussia is to unite allies and isolate opponents.For example, thecustoms unionIt is a great achievement of Prussia - it not only promotes the economic development, but also makes the whole Germany start to move closer to it politically, which not only strengthens Prussia's ability and determination to lead the reunification of Germany, but also gradually pushes Austria out of Germany politically and economically, which can be said to kill two birds with one stone.The customs union is somewhat similar to the European Union, which was established in 1993. Through political and economic integration, each (state) country finally moves towards a unified national community.Prussia is good at attracting German states. As a member of the customs union, these states get material benefits from it. In addition, their development level has not reached even close to Prussia's level, so Prussia has become the center of aspirations of the bourgeoisie in these states.These capitalists regard Prussia as their avantgarde in economy and their backer in politics in the future.In this way, Prussia began to leap to the leading position of Germany.
The French Revolution and the Napoleonic War
The military victory of 1805-1807 made Napoleon occupy and control most of Germany, and the Kingdom of Prussia acted as the vassal of France against Britain and Russia.In order to safeguard and realize the interests of the French big bourgeoisie, Napoleon implementedmilitary occupationAt the same time of political domination and diplomatic manipulationBourgeois revolutionWe have vigorously implemented a series of reforms in the local area.Such as abolishing the privileges of the church and the nobility;Abolish serfdom and relieve peasants of their feudal obligations to landlords;Get rid of the oldRules and regulations, cancel guild regulations, etc.
Although Napoleon's bourgeois reform in Germany failed to persist due to frequent wars and the strong obstruction of anti French forces, this has had a profound impact on the future development of Germany.It was Napoleon who vigorously cleaned up the feudal separatist forces and fostered the growing capitalist relations that enabled Germany to have a real sense ofmodem industryIt also made the German national bourgeoisie get considerable development.Therefore, Engels once said: "Napoleon is the creator of the German bourgeoisie... He is the representative of the revolution in Germany, and is based on revolutionary principlesDisseminator, is oldfeudal societyThe grave digger ".
To sum up, it is through such a special development path that Prussia can rapidly rise and complete the unification of modern Germany in just a hundred years, so Prussia sometimes becomes the synonym of German spirit and culture“Prussian Road”In a sense, the history of the evolution of is also constantly giving us warning and enlightenment.
domestic and foreign affairs
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Territory
The ancient Prussian region only includes the western Prussian region south of modern Lithuania, west of the mouth of the Visva River in northeast Poland, and the western Prussian region centered on Danze, as well as the former eastern Prussian region (now RussiaKaliningrad）The territory of.Occupied Prussia in 1295Teutonic KnightsBought Pomerania and Danzig.In 1308, the Newmark region was purchased from the Brandenburg Elector, and Prussia borders the Holy Roman Empire.In the 15th century, DanzeheWest Prussia Ceded to Poland.
1618Duchy of Prussia IncorporationBrandenburgIn 1701, when the Kingdom of Prussia was founded, its territory was the capital of the Kingdom of PrussiaBerlinAs the center, including BrandenburgPomerania, Newmark and Altmark, and Hohensoren Sigmalingen in southern Germany.In the 18th century, Prussia successively obtained the former PomeranianPosen, Silesia, etc.After dividing Poland three times, Prussia gained newEast Prussia, South Prussia, Danzig, Tolen, andKingdom of PolandThe western and central parts of China, including Warsaw.In 1806, after Prussia was defeated by Napoleon, it was forced to cede Poland, where France was foundedGrand Duchy of Warsaw。NapoleonAfter the defeat, in 1815congress of vienna Prussia lost territories such as Bayreuth, Ansbach, Nazhatel (joining Switzerland), East Frisland, Hildesheim, etc,Grand Duchy of WarsawExcept for a small area in the west centered on Posen, it was annexed by Russia.As compensation, Prussia obtainedKingdom of Saxony Two fifths of the territory, and western GermanyHanover, the diocese of Minster, Westphalia and Rhineland on both sides of the Rhine, and SallouisSalbrukenAnd other territories.
In the 19th century, after war, Prussia successively annexed Hesse RhineShile Suyige、HolsteinFrankfurt and other kingdoms, principalities and free cities.By the time the German Empire was established in 1871, the Kingdom of Prussia had 22 provinces, including Bavaria, BadenWuteng CastleMost of the present German territory, West Poland and North Poland, as well asFranco-Prussian War Won from FranceAlsaceandLorraine。
After the First World War, Posen Province, West Prussia and Danzig, formerly the Kingdom of Prussia, were ceded to Poland, the Mehmer region was ceded to Lithuania, the northern part of Schleswig was returned to Denmark, and the southern end of Rhineland was incorporated into Saar District,AlsaceandLorraineReturn to France.After the Second World War, according to the Ode Ness River line set by the AlliesEast PrussiaSilesia and Pomerania were merged into the Soviet Union and Poland;The western part of Prussia was merged into West Germany, and the central part was merged into East Germany. In the geographical sense, the organizational Prussia no longer exists.
external relations
In 1862,BismarckTake officeKingdom of PrussiaPrime Minister andforeign secretaryAfter that, they launched a campaign againstDenmark、AustriaThe war.In 1867, led by PrussiaRhine22 German countries and 3 free cities to the northNorth German Confederation And became France's strong enemy in Europe.napoleon iii He tried to prevent the reunification of Germany through war, and Bismarck was also determined to achieve the reunification of Germany through war.
In July 1870, Napoleon III declared war on Putrajaya.After the war began, France lost one after another“Sedan Battle”Napoleon III led 100000 troops to surrender.In November, the Confederation of South Germany signed a joint treaty with Prussia, which stipulated that France ceded Alsace and Lorraine to Germany with an indemnity of 5 billion francs. After three years of payment, the German occupation forces began to retreat.In May, the two countries officially signed《Frankfurt Peace Treaty》And establish the above contents.In order to ensure the success of victory against France, Bismarck organized a new anti French alliance after the war, and in 1873 established the German Austrian Russian“Three Kings Alliance”NewStrategic pattern, historical title“Bismarck system”。
In the Franco Prussian War, Germany was unified. In the center of Europe, a powerful and aggressive German empire appeared near Russia, France, Britain and Austria, which began to decline, making Europe'sBalance of powerStart to waver.However, Britain, France, Germany, Austria and Russia are still the major powers that dominate Europe and even the world, and they are still a multipolar state of competition.Therefore, the "Frankfurt pattern" is also called "FrankfurtMultipolar pattern”。This pattern has been maintained for about 40 years!
Imperial lineage
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brief introduction
Kings of Prussia
Kingdom of Prussia(German: K ö nigerich Preu ß en) is an important era in German history. The head of state called the King of Prussia (German: K ö nige von Preu ß en), and all Prussian kings belong toHohensorum Dynasty(HausHohenzollern, German).
1701, thenBrandenburgelector ConcurrentAlbrecht von Brandenburg-Ansbach-Preussen (German:Markgraf von Brandenburg-Herzögevon Preußen）Supported by Friedrich III ofAustriaThe Habsburg Dynasty declared war on the French Bourbon Dynasty in exchange forHoly Roman EmpireemperorLeopold I Recognition ofDuchy of Prussia (German:Herzogtum Preußen）Was elevated to the kingdom of Prussia.On January 18, Frederick III was in Konesburg (today'sRussiaKaliningrad）He was crowned King Frederick I of Prussia.Since then, he has actively participated in the War of Spanish Succession, continued to expand the territory, obtained Lingen, Morse, Upper Galden, Neuenberg and other places, and also bought Teclenburg andQuedrinburgFor PrussiaEuropean hegemonyLay the foundation.From then on, Prussia Kingdom has a glorious history of more than 200 years.
In 1850,German Confederation The parliament once gave the king of Prussia the title of emperor, but was refused.1871Franco-Prussian War After that, a unifiedGerman Empire(German:Deutsches Kaiserreich）, January 18, 1871 King of PrussiaWilliam IIn FranceParisSuburbanPalais de VersaillesCoronation scale“German Emperor”(German:Deutsches Kaiser）Therefore, the King of Prussia was also the Emperor of the German Empire.
In 1990, East and West Germany merged, which was called Germany.
On February 25, 1947,the United NationsThe Governing Council issued the 47th decree declaring Prussia officially dead and no longer exists.
The following are the kings of Prussia.Prussia was upgraded to kingdom during the reign of Frederick I. Because he promised to help the Holy Roman Emperor Leopold I, the emperor gave him the titleelector He was made king.Prior to that, Prussia had established the Principality of Prussia, which was subordinate to Poland, and later merged with the Brandenburg Electorate.
King List
Frederick I(German: Friedrich Wilhelm von Hohenzollern) 1701-13
The ancient Prussian region only includes the contemporaryLithuaniaTo the southpolandNortheastVistula River To the west of the estuaryDanzeCentricWest Prussia Region, andRussiaKaliningradprimaryEast PrussiaTerritory of the region.The Teutonic Knights who occupied Prussia in 1295 boughtPomeraniaHedanze region.In 1308, he purchased the Newmark area from the candidates of Brandenburg ElectorHoly Roman EmpireIt borders on the mainland.In the 15th century, Danzig and West Prussia were ceded to Poland.
The Principality of Prussia was incorporated into the Brandenburg Electorate in 1618. When the Kingdom of Prussia was founded in 1701, its territory was the capital of the Kingdom of PrussiaBerlinAs the center, it includes Brandenburg, Pomerania, Newmark and Altmark, as well as Hohensoren Sigmalingen region in southern Germany.In the 18th century, Prussia successivelySweden、polandandAustriaObtained the former Pomerania, Posen, Silesia and other regions.Divide Poland three timesLater, Prussia acquired New East Prussia, South Prussia, Danzig, Tolen, and the western and central parts of the Kingdom of Poland, includingWarsawRegion.In 1806, Prussia was defeatedNapoleonLater, it was forced to cede Poland, where France was foundedPrincipality of Warsaw。After Napoleon's defeat, in 1815congress of vienna First, Prussia lostBayreuth、Ansbach、Nashatel(later addedSwitzerland）, East FrislandHildesheimAnd other territories, except the western part of WarsawPosenA small piece of territory at the center was annexed by Russia.As compensation, Prussia receivedKingdom of Saxony Two fifths of the territory, and western GermanyHanover、MunsterThe diocese, the east and west sides of the RhineWestphaliaandRhineland , SallouisSalbrukenAnd other territories.
In the 19th century, after war, Prussia successively annexed Hesse RhineShile Suyige、HolsteinFrankfurt and other kingdoms, principalities and free cities.By the time the German Empire was established in 1871, the Kingdom of Prussia had 22 provinces, including BavariaBaden、Wuteng CastleMost of the present German territory outside of West Poland and North Poland.
the First World WarLater, the former PrussianPosen West Prussia and Danzig were ceded to Poland,Memel Regional cessionLithuania，Shile SuyigeNorthern return ofDenmarkThe southern end of Rhineland is incorporated into Saar District.the Second World WarLater, according to the Oder River set by the Allies-Ness RiverLineEast Prussia, Silesia and Pomerania were incorporatedSoviet Unionandpoland；The western region of Prussia was incorporatedWest Germany, incorporated in the middleEast Germany, geographicallyOrganic systemPrussia no longer exists.On February 25, 1947, the 46th decree issued by the United Nations Management Committee declared the official demise of the country in the name of Prussia and was not recognized.
Educational culture
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In addition to building military equipment and completing the great cause of German reunification, the Kingdom of Prussiacultural educationHis contribution to the world is also praised by later generations.In order to implement nationalist education, in 1717, the Kingdom of Prussia began to implement compulsory national education, which was the first country in the world to implement compulsory education, and also laid a solid foundation for Prussian high-quality army in the future.
1809Wilhelm von Humboldt After taking office as the highest education officer of Prussia, he began to reform the educational system of Prussia, which became the cornerstone of Germany's scientific, technological and cultural development in the next 200 years,
Founded in 1810University of BerlinIs the first newly established university, which has influenced the development of higher education in the 19th century all over the world.
In 1848, during the European Revolution, King PuFriedrich Wilhelm IV The establishment of a "liberal government" was announced.He held a constitutional meeting and refused to accept the title of "German Emperor" and the Constitution presented by the German National Assembly. He intended to force the majority of the states to accept Austria as the Communist Party of the Union while Austria was busy fighting the gap of revolution.
In 1850, under the threat of Russian and Austrian forces, Frederick William IV gave up his plan to dominate and obediently returnedGerman Confederation Within.
In 1853,Crimean WarOutbreak, the Russian Austrian alliance that has lasted for nearly 50 years collapsed, and the two sides turned against each other;Plus 1852 bynapoleon iii EstablishedSecond Empire He was particularly hostile to Austria and planned to give a blow, so in front of Prussia, a free international space suddenly appeared.
In 1857, Frederick William IV sufferedmental diseaseAnd his younger brother William was the regent.
In 1861, Frederick William IV died and the Regent ascended the throne, sayingWilliam I。
In 1862, hemilitary streamlineThe budget and tax issues required conflict with the Congress, and the former ambassador to FranceBismarckWith his advice.Bismarck expressed support for military reform and said that if he was appointed Prime Minister, he would do everything to force the army reform and newMilitary service system。On September 22, William I appointed Bismarck as Prime Minister.
After Bismarck came to power, he began to plan the grand cause of German reunification.Bismarck advocated the establishment of "Little Germany" excluding Austria. Prussia in 1864 and 1866 successivelyDanish-Prussian War Defeated inDenmarkAnd onAustro-Prussian War Defeated inAustriaAnd led in 1870North German Confederation And the German states in the southFranco-Prussian War China defeated France.William I ascended the throne on January 18, 1871 (the 170th anniversary of the founding of the Kingdom of Prussia) in the Mirror Hall of Versailles, France, and becameGerman EmpireThe German Empire headed by the Kingdom of Prussia was announced.
Since Prussia has 2/3 of the population and 3/5 of the territory of the German Empire, and far exceeds other European kingdoms and principalities in the empire in military, economic, industrial and other aspects, the German Empire has become an expanded version of the Kingdom of Prussia.Each state enjoys autonomy in internal affairs and finance, but gives diplomatic, military (except Bavaria), customs and other powers to the German Empirecentral government。Prussian history was incorporated into the history of the German Empire.
On the Rise
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In complex modern Europe, Prussia was once a very small country, just a member of the broken German Federation, poor and backward, and once became a vassal state of Poland.When Europe eruptsindustrial revolutionPrussia was still aAgricultural countryIt also maintained the serfdom, and its industrialization process was later than that of Britain and Franceinland country, not muchoverseas trade, surrounded by European powers at that time.However, from the 18th century, Prussia rose rapidly in less than 100 years, first becoming a European power, and then unifying Germany, becoming amilitary power, onWorld War IIts industrial strength also exceeded that of Britain and France.How did Prussia rise?
Let's solve this mystery: the four monarchs who really influenced and promoted the rise of Prussia - the general election candidate Frederick William, Frederick I, Frederick William I and Frederick II.The achievements of these four rulers laid a good foundation for Prussia's strength.
It was Frederick II, who was honored as the "Great Emperor", who really made Prussia enter the ranks of European powers.After Frederick II ascended the throne, he was diligent in political affairs and worked hard for governance.He gets up at four or five every morning and works hard on politics until late at night.His life was very simple. He asked his officials to strictly abide by the law, and found thatcorrupt practice, punish severely.Therefore, in Europe at that time, corruption was prevalent in other countries, and only Prussian officials were incorruptible.
In order to make Prussia a great power, Frederick II can be said to have adopted the most direct and undisguised way, that is, war.During his lifetime in power, Frederick II captured a large amount of land and greatly strengthened the national strength through two famous wars - the Silesian War and the Seven Year War.In 1772, Frederick II colluded with Austria and Russia to carve up Poland, seizing 36000 square kilometers of land.A senior French officialMirabo）We have to exclaim: "Other countries have an army, while Prussia has an army!"【Militarism】
In addition to the war, diplomatic means are also one of the important methods of Frederick II. Especially when the expected goal of the war is achieved, Frederick II will immediately sign a peace treaty with the enemy to ensure the success of the war, such as the Treaty of Breslau in 1742.But once the situation turned against Prussia, Frederick II immediately tore up the peace treaty and threw himself into the battlefield.In this way, through constant war and diplomatic means to seize territory, Frederick II established the personal honor of "military genius", and he turned Prussia into a military power.
Frederick II also received enlightenment ideas from Voltaire, improved the judicial and educational system, encouraged freedom of religious belief, and supported the development of science and art.By 1786, Prussia had become one of the powerful countries in Europe, and its administrative institutions were the most efficient and honest in Europe.
On August 17, 1786, Frederick II died and was honored as the "Great Emperor".He had no son after him, and was inherited by his nephew, Frederick William II.
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If you askWorld War IIWhat is the most thoroughly liquidated word in the reflection after the end?You may rememberfascist、naziOr is itJapanese Militarism。In fact, the real answer is a very strange word - Prussia.[1]
Prussia is EuropeHistorical place namesThe Prussian Kingdom established here was once the most powerful state in Germany.In the 19th century, the Kingdom of Prussia passed theDynasty WarAfter unifying Germany, the King of Prussia was crowned German Emperor.Prussia realized the long cherished wish of the Germans to complete national reunification.However, if you take a map of Europe in the 21st century, people can't find Prussia, because Prussia was thoroughly liquidated by the Allies after World War II, and there was no hair left.[1]
In fact, the word had already been used by the Allies before the end of World War IIblacklist。In 1943, the United States, Britain and the Soviet Union met for the first time in Tehran,British Prime MinisterChurchill was busy cursing: "Prussia is the source of all evil!" American President Roosevelt also said: "Prussia should make it as small and weak as possible." Also at this meeting, the leaders of the three countries had reached a consensus: Germany can be allowed to exist after the war, but Prussia, as a part of Germany, must be erased from the map.[1]
After the end of World War II, the Allies who did what they said took the capital of East PrussiaKoenigsburgAnd its surrounding areas were compensated to the Soviet Union and renamed Kaliningrad.The remainder of East Prussia was allocated to Poland.As for Prussia to the west of Oder Ness River, it was divided into four parts with other German territories, which were occupied by the United States, the Soviet Union, Britain and France respectively.In the occupied German land, all things that can remind people of Prussia were erased, the place names were changed, the people were expelled, and the palaces were demolished.What's more, in the Soviet controlled East Prussia region, the tombs of some famous Junks (Prussian nobles) were demolished and filled.[1]
On February 25, 1947, the Allied Control Commission that occupied Germany issued No. 46Provisional lawAnd announced that "the central government of Prussia and its subordinate organs at all levels will be dissolved from now on".On the same day, the United Nations Management Committee issued the 47th decree, declaring that "the country in the name of Prussia has officially perished and is not recognized".In theory, these two laws are still in effect.According to these decrees, Germany was not even allowed to reorganize a state in the name of Prussia - although the unified Germany still occupied part of the territory of West Prussia in history.[1]
Hatred often comes from fear. Why is the word Prussia so feared, even defined as "the source of all evil"?
