Historical Facts

The Creation of Prussian Army and Prussian State
Frederick William, the Great Elector of Brandenburg-Prussia (1640-88), was one of the European princes who made the most effective use of the techniques of absolutism.

In 1640 he inherited a scattered and ungovernable collection of territories that had been devastated by the Thirty Year’s War.

Brandenburg, the richest of his possessions, had lost nearly half of its population.

The war had lasting impact upon Frederick William’s character.

A long stay, in Holland during the final stages of the Dutch revolt impressed upon him the importance of a strong army and a strong base of revenue to support it.

Frederick William had neither. In 1640 has forces totaled no more than 2,500 men, most of them, including the officers, the dregs of German society.

Despite the fact that he was surrounded by powerful neighbors – Sweden and Poland both claimed sovereignty over parts of inheritance – the territories under his control had no tradition of military taxation.

The nobility, known as die Junker, enjoyed immunity from almost all forms of direct taxation, and the towns had no obligation to furnish either men or supplies for military operations beyond their walls.

When Frederick William attempted to introduce an excise, he was initially rebuffed. But military emergency overcame legal precedents,

By the 1650s Frederick William had established the excise in the towns though not on the land.

With the excise as a steady source of revenue, the Great Elector could now create one of the most capable standing armies of the age.

He built his forces in stages, careful not to frighten his powerful eastern neighbors.

The geographical scattering of his territory was a benefit. He could raise and train his troops in the west without endangering his security in the east.

The strictest discipline was maintained in the new army and the Prussian army developed into a feared and efficient fighting machine.

Frederick William organized one of the first departments of war to oversee all of the details of the creation of his army, from housing and supplies to the training of young officer candidates.

By the time Frederick William died, the army had grown to over thirty thousand and state revenue had triple.

The creation of the Prussian army was a force that led to the creation of the Prussian state.
The Creation of Prussian Army and Prussian State