Brandenburg-Prussia, 1466-1806: The Rise of a Composite State

ISBN-13: 9780230535657 / Angielski / Miękka / 2011 / 184 str.

Karin Friedrich

Opis

Karin Friedrich locatesthe history of Brandenburg-Prussiawithin the east-central European context to which it once belonged. She examines Prussia as a conduit between East and West, and as a political entity whichattempted, unsuccessfully, to harmonise the great diversity of its local traditions, institutions and identities.

Spis treści

A Note on References Editors' Preface Acknowledgements Glossary A Gazetteer of Geographical and Place Names Maps Introduction The Teutonic Legacy 'State-Building' Estate Society and Life in the Rural Economy From Baroque Court to Military Monarchy Foreign Policy Between East and West Enlightenment and Public Sphere Conclusion Appendix 1: Genealogy Appendix 2: Table of Offices Select Bibliography Index.

O autorze

KARIN FRIEDRICH Senior Lecturer in History at the University of Aberdeen, UK.

Blurb

Karin Friedrich locates the composite state of Brandenburg-Prussia in its historical, political, religious and economic context, from the demise of the Teutonic Knights in the fifteenth century to the Napoleonic crisis. Synthesising debates in German, English and Polish historical writing, the study focuses on key themes and concepts such as:

• confessionalisation, state-building, absolutism, and the rural economy
• the primacy of foreign politics
• the impact of an enlightened public sphere on changing notions of citizenship.

Friedrich assesses the ability of the Prussian state to integrate its constituent parts, not least by creating a patriotic identity and notion of unity under the name of 'Prussia'. Challenging myths and older views, this fresh interpretation is ideal for anyone studying this complex political entity within early modern Europe.