Prussia

Quick Facts: Who was Prussia?

Subject:

Prussia

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A powerful German state that shaped the course of modern Germany from 1525 to 1947.

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2Day Chrono-Wiki & Primary Historical Archives

Origins & Early Life

Prussia (; German: Preußen [ˈpʁɔʏsn̩] ) was a German state centred on the North European Plain. It originated from the 1525 secularization act of the Prussian part of the State of the Teutonic Order. For centuries, the House of Hohenzollern ruled Prussia, expanding its size with the Prussian Army. Prussia, with its capital at Königsberg and then, when it became the Kingdom of Prussia in 1701, Berlin, decisively shaped the history of Germany. Prussia formed the German Empire when it united the German states in 1871.

Career & Major Achievements

It was de facto dissolved by an emergency decree transferring powers of the Prussian government to German Chancellor Franz von Papen in 1932 and de jure by an Allied decree in 1947. The name Prussia derives from the Old Prussians who were conquered by the Teutonic Knights – an organized Catholic medieval military order of German crusaders – in the 13th century. In 1308, the Teutonic Knights conquered the region of Pomerelia with Danzig. Their monastic state was mostly Germanised through immigration from central and western Germany, and, in the south, it was Polonised by settlers from Masovia. The imposed Second Peace of Thorn (1466) split Prussia into the western Royal Prussia, a province of Poland, and the eastern Duchy of Prussia, a feudal fief of the Crown of Poland until 1657.

Enduring Legacy & Impact

After 1525, the Teutonic Order relocated their headquarters to Mergentheim, but managed to keep land in Livonia until 1561. The union of Brandenburg and the Duchy of Prussia in 1618 led to the proclamation of the Kingdom of Prussia in 1701. Prussia entered the ranks of the great powers shortly after becoming a kingdom. It became increasingly large and powerful in the 18th and 19th centuries. It had a major voice in European affairs under the reign of Frederick the Great (1740–1786).

Chronological Milestones & Life Events

1. 1308: 1308 Milestone — In 1308, the Teutonic Knights conquered the region of Pomerelia with Danzig.
2. 1466: 1466 Milestone — The imposed Second Peace of Thorn (1466) split Prussia into the western Royal Prussia, a province of Poland, and the eastern Duchy of Prussia, a feudal fief of the Crown of Poland until 1657.
3. 1525: 1525 Milestone — It originated from the 1525 secularization act of the Prussian part of the State of the Teutonic Order.
4. 1618: 1618 Milestone — The union of Brandenburg and the Duchy of Prussia in 1618 led to the proclamation of the Kingdom of Prussia in 1701.
5. 1701: 1701 Milestone — Prussia, with its capital at Königsberg and then, when it became the Kingdom of Prussia in 1701, Berlin, decisively shaped the history of Germany.
6. 1740: 1740 Milestone — It had a major voice in European affairs under the reign of Frederick the Great (1740–1786).
7. 1871: 1871 Milestone — Prussia formed the German Empire when it united the German states in 1871.
8. 1932: 1932 Milestone — It was de facto dissolved by an emergency decree transferring powers of the Prussian government to German Chancellor Franz von Papen in 1932 and de jure by an Allied decree in 1947.

Notable Quotes by Prussia

“Suum cuique ('to each, his own')” (1701)

Historical Fact-Check Quiz: Prussia

True or False: “Prussia was continuously recognized as a major German state without any significant interruptions in its political status until the modern era.”

Answer (FALSE ❌): The state experienced periods of dissolution and restructuring, notably being de facto dissolved by an emergency decree in 1932.

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Frequently Asked Questions about Prussia