William Tyler
The Rise and Rise of Prussia

There is no better thread to follow in understanding the early modern period of Germany, than that of the history of Prussia. Under Bismarck, Prussia brought about a unified Germany in the late 19th century.

Brandenburg was one of the constituent German states of the Holy Roman Empire, with its centre in Vienna, while Prussia was part of the Kingdom of Poland. Prussia’s rise to become the pre-eminent German power began with the union of Brandenburg-Prussia in 1618. In 1701, the name of the state became simply Prussia. With the gradual acquisition of territories around it, Prussia became massive kingdom by 1795 when Poland was dismembered and partitioned.

The outstanding 18th century ruler of Prussia was Frederick the Great (reigned 1740-1786). Simon Sebag Montefiore describes him as ‘the outstanding soldier-statesman of his age, the paragon of gifted kingship…the most enlightened monarch of his day’.