Rise of Prussia Key Terms

Hohenzollern

dynasty that rose to prominence in the HRE in the 15th and 16th centuries. Title of elector given to the family.

Brandenburg

part of the HRE, ruled by the Hohenzollern family.

Elector

title, gave the holder the privilege of being one of seven entitled to elect the Holy Roman emperor (electors had no real power).

Frederick William

The Great elector, wanted to unify his three provinces (Brandenburg, Prussia, and scattered territories along the Rhine)

Junkers

The nobility of Brandenburg and Prussia, who were reluctant allies of Frederick William in his consolidation of the Prussian state.

Frederick III (I)

1701, son of Frederick William, aided Habsburgs in the War of Spanish succession, sickly, liked shopping, allowed to crown himself as King in Prussia.

Frederick William I

“the soldiers king”’, son of Frederick III (I), fully established Prussian Absolutism and made Prussia a militarist state.

Militarism

belief that the state should maintain capability and be prepared to use it aggressively to defend or promote national interests.