Absolutism in Prussia

I. Absolutism in Prussia

                1. Prussia is one of the German states and emerges as a great power in Europe.

                2. This happens mainly due to the work of Fredrick William The Great Elector.

                                A. To protect his land, which was first located in open to attack, he established a 40,000 man standing army. (4^th Largest in all standing army in Europe.)

                                B. General War Commissariat was also established to levy taxes needed to support the Army and its growth.

                                                1. Overtime this also became an civil government agency as well.

                                                2. Pretty soon the Commissariats was used to govern everything.

                                                3. This agencies help centralize power and allowed for Fredrick Williams successors to later become King. 

                3. Failure of Absolutism in the Holy Roman Empire.

                4. The Hapsburg Dynasty hoped to control a unified German Empire, bur this hope was lost after the Thirty Year War.

                5. However the addition of new territories in the sought east such as: Hungary, Croatia, Slovenia, and Transylvania are added to their old empire that contained Austria, Czech Republic, and parts of Hungary.

                6. Absolutism fails to emerge in the Holy Roman Empire because of the multination alliance that made up the Holy Roman Empire.

                                1. In fact the only thing holding them together at all was their services they owed to the Hapsburg Empire.

II. Government in Russia

                1. Since Ivan IV was the first Tsar of Russia had a Absolute ruler expect for a period of thirty years known as the time of trouble pretty much until 1917.

                2. One of the most prominent leaders of Russia was Tsar Peter the Great.

                                A. Member of the Romanov Dynasty.

                                B. Claimed rule by the Divine Right of Kings

                                C. Inspired by his trip to Western Europe and their techno by to make his empire stronger and gave him the idea that lead to the first Russian navy.

                                D. Peters Army

                                                1. Drafted peasants for 25 years services.

                                                2. Made a 210,000 man standing army.

                                E. Ruled Russia, used provinces in order to rule more effectively.

                                F. Started to implement Western Culture including teaching etiquette and requiring changes to traditional Russian dress.

                                G. Established St. Petersburg in order to have a window to the West back between the land of out of Sweden in the war between Russian and Sweden.