Condorcet Biography
The Historical Background of Prussia's Unique Military Prussia was unique in that, more than in any other country, the army developed a life of its own, almost independent of the life of the state. The distinctive military history of Prussia was developed early on it its history from the origins of the Teutonic knights and brought to a level of perfection throughout the reigns of Frederick William the Great Elector, Frederick William I and Frederick II. These gifted strategists due to their individual history and the accomplishments of the previous generation achieved military innovations. The Teutonic knights were the German order of knights who were sent by Pope Gregory IX in 1225 to convert the Prussians after the failure of their attempt to conquer the Holy land. At that point in time Prussians were a people related to Lithuanians and Latvians, who were among the last remaining pagans in Europe. The Poles were pleased by the presence of the Teutonic knights, especially the Duke of Mazovia, to whom the Prussians were not only heathens, but also a constant militaristic nuisance. In a long war the Teutonic knights finally conquered Prussia by 1285, killing some, converting some and creating a feudal state.
His son Frederick came to power and continued the vision his father had began into the baroque era. The forced conscriptions of the House of Hohenzollern is evident in the two years of military service required of young German males. The economy was immediately stimulated by the needs of the ever-growing economy, and Prussia operated as a machine. Equipped with a military embodying a well-oiled machine, Frederick II, or Frederick the Great came to power in 1740 with the goal of increasing Prussia's power in Europe. The dynasty may not have survived but the military innovations and concepts it achieved live on in modern armies as the legacy of the Prussian kingdom. The army made its own reputation was sharply distinguished from public life. Out of a revenue of seven million thalers, five million thalers were spent on the army. The first soldier was the Hohenzollern ruler; the army was a creation of the dynasty and a symbol of its' strength. Prussia was a member of the Grand Alliance, formed against Louis XIV, and took part in important battles including the battle of Oudenarde and Malplaquet at which the crown prince Frederick William was present. However everyone was a citizen of the state, including the King: " I am first a servant of the state. " Frederick William was the founder of Prussian absolutism, the originator of the machinery that it required, and the obstinate champion of the social structure that the system demanded. Frederick William was a strong man with an intellectual strength and an iron will. Creating and enforcing brutal and degrading punishments accomplished perfection in maneuvers and drills. Despite the fact that the country of Prussia became nonexistent after WWII, it's militaristic legacy lives on in the German army. Frederick created the standing army and the four to five thousand men he enlisted in 1641 grew to a permanent standing army of twenty-five the thirty thousand men by 1688.
Common topics in this essay:
Frederick William,
Duchy Frederick,
Leopold Dessau,
Brandenburg Franconian,
Russia Russia,
Frederick II,
House Hohenzollern,
Maria Theresa,
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Mazovia Prussians,
frederick william,
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teutonic knights,
frederick ii,
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william elector,
william frederick,
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magnitude army required,
frederick william elector,
frederick william frederick,
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Acceptance Essays
