| | The Prussian king became the German Emperor (Deutscher Kaiser). Bismarck became Chancellor. He and other Protestant Prussians dominated the new Germany, and began a [[Kulturkampf]] ("culture war") against the Catholics and Socialists in Germany. | | The Prussian king became the German Emperor (Deutscher Kaiser). Bismarck became Chancellor. He and other Protestant Prussians dominated the new Germany, and began a [[Kulturkampf]] ("culture war") against the Catholics and Socialists in Germany. |
| − | 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. |
| | 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. | | 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 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]]n 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 before 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]]n 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. |