| − | '''Prussia''' was a former [[Germany|German]] state in eastern Europe dating back to the union of the Duchy of Prussia and the Margraviate of Brandenburg (with its capital [[Berlin]]) in 1618. It became a kingdom in 1701, and by military prowess became a major power under [[Frederick the Great]]. It expanded rapidly, winning new territory after each major war. Later, under Chancellor [[Otto von Bismark]] Prussia defeated Denmark, Austria and France, and in 1871 it became the core of a new German empire. It included East Prussia, Brandenburg, Pomerania, Silesia, a large part of Saxony, Schleswig-Holstein, Hannover, Westphalia, Hesse-Nassau, the Rhine Province, and the Hohenzollern Lands in southwest Germany. The total area was 113,000 square miles (293,000 sq km), second in Europe in size and population only to Russia. The Hohenzollern family ruled the Prussian lands from the 11th century to 1918. | + | '''Prussia''' was a former [[Germany|German]] state in eastern Europe dating back to the union of the Duchy of Prussia and the Margraviate of Brandenburg (with its capital [[Berlin]]) in 1618. It became a kingdom in 1701, and by military prowess became a major power under [[Frederick the Great]]. It expanded rapidly, winning new territory after each major war. Later, under Chancellor [[Otto von Bismark]] Prussia defeated [[Denmark]], [[Austria]] and [[France]], and in 1871 it became the core of a new German empire. It included East Prussia, Brandenburg, Pomerania, Silesia, a large part of Saxony, Schleswig-Holstein, Hannover, Westphalia, Hesse-Nassau, the Rhine Province, and the Hohenzollern Lands in southwest Germany. The total area was 113,000 square miles (293,000 sq km), second in Europe in size and population only to [[Russia]]. The Hohenzollern family ruled the Prussian lands from the 11th century to 1918. |