Changes

Prussia was long synonymous with militarism (military control of the government) and a very high degree of military professionalism.  Dominating politics were the rich landowners in the east known as "Junkers."  The Junkers supported rapid industrialization in order to support a strong army and navy.

Prussia was long synonymous with militarism (military control of the government) and a very high degree of military professionalism.  Dominating politics were the rich landowners in the east known as "Junkers."  The Junkers supported rapid industrialization in order to support a strong army and navy.

Bismark was a master diplomat and kept the peace in Europe until his removal by a new young [[Kaiser Wilhelm II]] in 1890. Wilhelm led Germany to a disastrous defeat in [[World War I]] and he and all the aristocrats lost their titles and power in 1918 - though, in contrast to Austria, the titles weren't dropped altogether, but became part of the family names.  

Bismarck was a master diplomat and kept the peace in Europe until his removal by a new young [[Kaiser Wilhelm II]] in 1890. Wilhelm led Germany to a disastrous defeat in [[World War I]] and he and all the aristocrats lost their titles and power in 1918 - though, in contrast to Austria, the titles weren't dropped altogether, but became part of the family names.  

The Prussian monarchy was abolished in 1918 just before the end of [[World War I]]. Prussia continued as a province of Germany until 1945, when it was dissolved by the Allies after [[World War II]], and the oldest eastern part was divided between Poland and Russia.

The Prussian monarchy was abolished in 1918 just before the end of [[World War I]]. Prussia continued as a province of Germany until 1945, when it was dissolved by the Allies after [[World War II]], and the oldest eastern part was divided between Poland and Russia.

==Early Prussia==

==Early Prussia==

The history of the Duchy of Prussia prior to 1618 is complicated, too. The area, which laid outside of the [[German Empire]], was conquered by the Teutonic Knights, who followed an invitation of the [[Masovia|Masovian]] Duke Konrad I. in 1226. Western Prussia became part of Poland in 1466, while Eastern Prussia stayed with the Teutonic Knights, who moved the capital to [[Koenigsberg]]. In 1525, the Grand Master Albrecht von Brandenburg-Ansbach became Lutheran and secularised  Eastern Prussia, in effect making it a duchy for his family.  

The history of the Duchy of Prussia prior to 1618 is complicated, too. The area, which laid outside of the [[German Empire]], was conquered by the Teutonic Knights, who followed an invitation of the [[Masovia|Masovian]] Duke Konrad I. in 1226. Western Prussia became part of Poland in 1466, while Eastern Prussia stayed with the Teutonic Knights, who moved the capital to [[Koenigsberg]]. In 1525, the Grand Master Albrecht von Brandenburg-Ansbach became Lutheran and secularised  Eastern Prussia, in effect making it a duchy for his family.