Prussia - this is one of the most historically ambiguous states of continental Europe.On the one hand, we have a once-powerful state, the flag that unites the whole of Germany.On the other - from the kingdom were not only the ups and downs.The country was disbanded after the fall of the Third Reich, as previously suffered under the yoke of the Teutons.What is the legacy left to us the history of Prussia?
Geographical location
Unlike most countries of the Old World, Prussia on the map sought for purely political grounds.Sign language, so common to determine the other states are working very bad, and in general in the German culture.
important for Prussia played the Baltic Sea, located in the north of the country.It was there that the first settlements appeared.Throughout history, the boundaries of Prussia repeatedly changed - from the (relatively) small duchy to the main part of Bismarck's Second Reich.
greatly influenced Prussia neighboring countries - Lithuania (Lithuanians Prussians blood brothers more than the Germans), and Poland.The second set of built machinations of its north-western neighbor during his independence.Poland has repeatedly subjugates its territory.Find
main land of the dead state, Prussia, it is now a snap.They belong to the Russian Federation and the Kaliningrad region are.Its center - it is an old Kenigsberg, since 1946 known as Kaliningrad.
ancient times
huge role in the emergence of Prussia as well as throughout European history, played Attila the Hun leader.It is the appearance of his empire made up living on the shores of the Baltic Sea estiev.About them even antique authors wrote.Estii left free territory of Prussia, who had previously settled only within the framework of modern Kaliningrad.
history of Prussia in the form in which we know it now, is impossible without the appearance of the German brothers and Brutus Videvuda.Their existence is questionable, but it is the presence of these rulers, who created the tribe strong society with developed social relations and built vertical of power, explains the sharp jump in the development of Prussia.As a result, the cultural tradition they were brothers, the Germans, not the closest nations - Poles and Lithuanians.
Christianization
small Polish principality from the XI century are trying to expand their lands by the pagan Prussians.However, they were extremely successful defenders.Perhaps the area of Prussia would have remained free games of feudal Europe, if under the pretext of Christianization (at the invitation of the Polish prince and the personal blessing of the Pope), it would not invaded the legendary Teutonic Order.
Lithuanian Order got their own state, which has been fully empowered to carry out the Christianization of pagan population that the Prussians turned to looting, torture and violence.
territory expansion
Thanks to active capacity power directly by the Teutons and acquisitions of other orders of chivalry, and expanded Prussia itself on the map.At some point, most of the Baltic States belonged to the state of the Teutonic Order.
inside the country is a rigid Catholic state to put it mildly, a huge bias in ecclesiastical authority.In fact, the Teutonic Order submitted (via a Master) to the Pope, so the state has been under the full control of the Vatican.
Create kingdom
Until the sixteenth century lasted State of the Teutonic Order.It led many wars - sometimes successful, expanding their state, but the closer the timeline to the present, the more inferior Teutons on the battlefield.
particularly serious was their defeat in the Thirteen Years' War against Poland.It was the final blow to the Teutonic Order - the desire to retain power and to escape from the wrath of the Pope.Master Albrecht of Brandenburg adopted Protestantism, by which Prussia became a secular state.He also became a vassal of the Polish king.Former Master made a lot of useful things for the country.For example, social reform, and he had opened the first university.In addition, thanks to him, Prussia - this is the first government in the history of the dominant officially Protestant faith.
Duchy of Prussia did not last long - the son of Albrecht appeared ill and after his father's death could not take the throne, then suddenly died.The next heir to the Duchy was a Polish King.
Prussian kingdom part of Poland
received in their new land disposal, the ruler of thought, what would be Prussia.Kingdom seemed the best option, as it significantly increased the prestige of the monarchy.Now he was twice governor.
Like any kingdom within the Kingdom of Prussia was quite independent.It had its own laws, its own court.Even her army functioned separately from the Polish.In addition, the territory of the country grew rapidly, as the King of Prussia knew - just gathered around him a powerful and strong support they could confront Poland and return to his German roots.
But so radical measures are not needed.At the time of formation of the German state of Prussia as the Poland fought a war with Sweden, and she needed help allies.Brandenburg Prince Frederick William I agreed to lend a helping hand to neighbors, provided that receive Prussia - the land that he, as the largest German prince, considered native German, which means his.
Through this transaction formed the principality of Brandenburg-Prussia, which was destined to play a huge role in the future political life of Europe.
Independent Prussian kingdom
Thanks to their efforts, and inherited his father's son Prince of Brandenburg, is gaining more and more land, and along with them and influence, was crowned.Frederick I ascended the throne in 1701, showing the world that Prussia - is now an independent kingdom.
maximum historical dawn fell on the reign of Prussia Friedrich.He is still considered one of the great kings of Europe, as had many reforms - strengthen the economy of Prussia, whereby the Treasury had the opportunity to finance the army astronomical sums.He spent the profound changes in education, the state apparatus and military affairs.
Thanks to the huge number of wars, which intervene in the King of Prussia for some reason it was necessary, his country overgrown with new and new lands, creating Prussians reputation as one of the leading nations of the Old World.Only once Prussia lost - Russian Empire took himself part of the Baltic after the defeat in the battle against it during the Seven Years War.However, even this was not a serious defeat - the peace treaty between Frederick II and Peter III the land returned to Prussia soon.
Unfortunately, after a powerful flowering followed by a rapid decay.The new king, Frederick II, could not hold the power over such a huge country.His rule significantly weakened Prussia, but his son marked the final loss of Prussia's leading role in Europe.
But blame him much impossible.King of Prussia could not withstand the avalanche of Napoleon's army.It swept away in its path each state.After the Napoleonic era Prussia was restored in much smaller areas, and it seemed she was destined to live out their days to complete loss of statehood, if not ...
German Empire
Great Otto von Bismarck, oddly enough, was Prussia.With his appearance on the political scene can stop calling the names of the Prussian kings - now they played no role in comparison with the "Iron Chancellor".
Bismarck was the minister-president of Prussia, and an avid fan of the idea of a unified German state.At that time it was impossible - the German territory fit a dozen warring petty states but one weakened Austria.Bismarck, however, would not be a great leader if he did not have a clear and steadfast plan.
Step by step, he stepped up the power of Prussia, fighting with Denmark and selecting its territory.Bismarck needed only a pretext for an attack on Austria, and it turned up - the military conflict in Italy led to a seven-week war between Austria and Prussia, which ended with the union of 21 German states and the creation of the German Empire.King of Prussia Wilhelm I became Kaiser and Bismarck - his Chancellor.
German Empire has become one of the main countries in the world.Not last role in it of occupied Prussia.Kingdom has sunk into oblivion, but it was the Prussians asked cultural and political tone of the empire.
Unfortunately, Wilhelm II was not so far-sighted politician.He dismissed Bismarck from office, and then began to conduct a full internal policy conservatism and full of strong statements aggressive foreign.Quarreled with the Russian and the British Crown, he led Germany into isolation.
These events were the main prerequisites for the start of the First World War, after which the Second Reich fell forever.November Uprising torn Germany, Prussia, making one of the small independent states which had to repay their large parent.
But as always happens in the history of Germany, when chroniclers were ready to put an end to the history of a single state, appears on the horizon a new personality, which is destined to gather around him all Germans.
Third Reich
As part of the Third Reich, Prussia was one of the central areas.
Despite the fact that Hitler did the division of Germany, this region was an exception.
In a joint Nazi state Prussia gained autonomy, but it was only on paper.In fact the head of the Authority was either Hitler or one of the heads of the Reichstag - depending on the specific date.
It is in the Third Reich from Prussia completely blurred the boundaries of an independent state.Now she was a part of Germany, even its former capital - Berlin - has long ceased to be associated with it.
After Germany's defeat in World War II part of the territory of Prussia, including Konigsberg old, went USSR.The rest remained in the territory of the GDR and the FRG.
Prussia at the end of the Second World War
Prussia in 1945 years longer represented anything.As a separate state did not exist, even in theory, ignoring the defeated Germany.Since sunset for one of the most influential powers in Europe.Or in front of us waiting for a new unexpected turn?After all, until Bismarck of Prussia predicted the same.
Total
Prussia - this is one of the most controversial pages of German history.The state, laid the foundation for the existence of contemporary federal Germany, in fact, it was an incredibly small amount of self time.
However, every time when Prussia on the map reappeared, even in the smallest, its borders, it invariably proves that she is the true power of Germany, its heart and brain.
Somehow the story again received an ironic tone - Prussia, Baltic residents, we must refer to the Lithuanians and Estonians, Germans are even more than the Germans themselves.This is the mystery of Prussian history, but, in particular, and its fascination - in infinite victories and defeats in the struggle with paradoxes.
