History of Prussia

Historical Maps
The history of Prussia is very intertwined with the history of my German ancestors.
 * Map of Growth of Prussia 1600-1795
 * Prussian maps

Leaders of Prussia

 * Frederick William, Elector of Brandenberg (1640-1688)
 * Frederick I, Elector of Brandenberg and Duke of Prussia (1688-1701) King of Prussia (1701-1713)
 * Frederick William I, King of Prussia (1713-1740)
 * Frederick II (1740-1772)
 * Frederick William II (1786-1797)
 * Frederick William III (1797-1840)
 * Frederick William IV (1840-1861)
 * William I, King of Prussia (1861-1888), German Emperor (1871-1888)

Frederick William, Elector of Brandenberg (1640-1688)
 * Made the reforms that paved the way to Prussia becoming a kingdom
 * Staunch pillar of Calvinism
 * Raised an army of 40,000 soldiers
 * Advocate of mercatilism, monopolies, subsidies, tariffs, and internal improvement
 * encouraged skilled Huegonots to emigrate
 * exempted nobility from taxes, they dissolved the Estates-General
 * created canals to ease transportation

Frederick I, Elector of Brandenberg and Duke of Prussia (1688-1701) King of Prussia (1701-1713)
 * Convinced Leopold I, Holy Roman Emperor, to call him a King, since Prussia was never part of the HRE and it would be okay for the Elector of Brandenberg to also be the king of Prussia
 * Got title in exchange for support against France in War of Spanish Succession
 * Called “King IN Prussia”
 * Patron of the arts

Frederick William I, King of Prussia (1713-1740) Increased efficiency of military
 * Known as the “Soldier King”
 * Gave Prussia an international reputation on par with France and Great Britain
 * Established primary schools
 * Replaced mandatory military service in middle classes
 * Lived frugally and tirelessly for the well being of his people
 * Loved the military, but was a peacefull man and didn't engage it often
 * Intevened briefly in the Great Northern War but gained little territory

Frederick II (1740-1772) Frederick William II (1786-1797) Frederick William III (1797-1840) Frederick William IV (1840-1861) William I, King of Prussia (1861-1888), German Emperor (1871-1888)