Germany in the 18^th century: The Rise of Prussia

Elector Fredrick III crowned himself the King of Prussia in 1701. The country had now been known as Prussia. Followed by Fredrick II “The Great” becoming king in 1740. Fredrick II is known for the large army he had created and was a successful war general. It took only a year after he was crowned king to invade Austria. He had eventually won after a four year battle, enlarging his territory. After that Prussia had invaded Saxony. Russia played a role allying with Saxony which was troublesome for Prussia until Elizabeth of Russia had died and her son made peace. Eventually they had worked together to invade Poland and split up the territory.

Summary: After King Fredrick III had crowned himself King of Prussia, the land had been known formally as Prussia, leading to Fredrick II “The Great” who had made his name out of his successful armies and battles against Austria, Saxony, and Poland.

                                                                Fredrick III "The Great"

Germany in the 19^th Century. The rise and fall of Napoleon. Creating German states.

France had defeated Austria, and some German states had allied with Napoleon. In 1806 Napoleon created the confederation of the Rhine, making up of 16 German states. Not long after, Prussia had gone to war with France, resulting in a defeat. But, in 1813 Prussia had joined with Russia along with Austria, defeating the French in 1815. The Congress of Vienna came together to decide the fate of Europe. A German confederation was made to create a new Holy Roman Empire. It had consisted of 38 states. The German states

began to industrialize in 1830, creating railways throughout Germany. German states and Prussia came together creating a union. In later years, in 1845, series of bad harvests had put them in a vulnerable state with high unemployment and a recession. France had created a revolution that struck throughout Europe causing Prussian and German rulers to make reforms. In 1848 an assembly representing Germany had met up looking for German unity. The revolutionists offered Prussian King to become King of Germany and he declined. European rulers had begun to crack down on the revolting groups. Not long after, the old order returned. Fast forward 30 years, southern German empire had came together of an agreement with Prussia and united under the rule of Prussian King William I.

Summary: When Napoleon created France to be a strong nation, German states had joined a confederation under his ruling. After the fall of Napoleon, German states were given the chance to remake the Holy Roman Empire since Napoleon had ended it. Riots and revolutionist groups had broken out throughout Europe in need of a new system which rulers had agreed to temporarily, only to deny the demands and hunted out the groups. Germany eventually combined with Prussia under command of King William I.

                                                      William I