Prussian Absolutism (AP Euro Review)

An introduction to Prussian absolutism in the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries. After the Thirty Years' War, Frederick William, the Great Elector, began to build an absolutist state in Prussia-Brandenburg. He and his grandson, Frederick William I (the "Soldier King"), built Prussia into a great power by putting together the most elite military force in early modern Europe. Using a religious policy of Protestant toleration, enlisting the Junkers (nobles) as a service nobility, taxing by decree, and establishing the first system of compulsory public education, "the Fredericks" built a successful absolutist state.

This e-lecture is suitable for AP European History and Western Civilization students, as well as lifelong learners seeking to learn European history for their own viewing pleasure!

This is part of my lecture series on absolute monarchy in early modern Europe. Check out my other lectures on European absolutism:

[brianshafer]

Voltaire remarked “While most states have an army the Prussian army has a state” Great video!!!

[ryanmanseau]

Dude you are the savior of my AP Euro grade, thank you so much.

[rickballance]

Nice. You know the real tradgedy is that in German history class I didn't hear let alone learn half of the things you talk about. It was very WW2-centric which is important of course, but it definitely came at the cost of cutting other content. I started reading "German Genius" by an Englishman called Peter Watson and he made the point that people don't know anything about Germany beyond WW2 and sadly the same is often true of Germans themselves. By the way I find the Bourne Identity poster in the background hilarious, you you're like a Bourne Identity-lookalike history buff.

[elizabethcharles]

I really thank you for making these videos. They make learning history very much easier and a lot more fun!

[butterlordofpraven]

I like Frederick William I. because he kept it real, instead of showing off he turned his state into a financially and militaristic powerhouse.

[dquaid]

Frederick was one of the greatest leaders of all time, his nickname suits him. Judging from the perspective of that time instead of the hippy viewpoints of today, the U.S. needs someone with the outlook of him. The guy even wore a regular uniform instead of trying to make himself above the regular soldiers. God Bless him

[bellefrahm]

I really enjoy all of your videos! They really go into depth of what happened in history and they help a lot with my AP Euro course!

[kaitlyncarroll]

I have my AP Euro Midterm today and I don't know where I would be without Tom Richey videos

[toriashley]

Hey Mr. Richey! You don't know me but I go to Walhalla HS and your videos have helped me soooo much in reviewing for the AP exam! Thank you so much! And your daughter is adorable!!

[ryanhennessey]

Hey. I love your videos. Could you do a one on the Thirty Years’ War?

[sidekickstreams]

OH COME ON IS NO ONE ELSE WATCHING THIS THE NIGHT BEFORE APS

[cainlolsson]

*cough* Prussian Spacemarines *cough*

If you don't get it it's a joke about Europa Universalis 4, a historical grand strategy game, where Prussia/Brandenburg is the by far most powerful nation in the world.

[Unskilledplays]

Cram cram cram so much study so little time

[sp]

I'm a first-year world history teacher. This era isn't my strong suite, so this video just saved my weekend. Thanks so much!

[LordAlexMorgan]

Bourne Identity in the background, Matt Damon in the foreground o.o

Btw its: HO-ann-zoh-lern, the first syllable is stressed. As in Sasha Baron Cohen/Hohen. I think there are about a dozen of them alive today. Not sure how many castles they still have though.

[canadiancid]

Frederich Wilhelm, der Gross Kurfurst von Brandenburg(the Great Elector of Brandenburg), needs more time because he was the one that established an independent  state base(domestic and military nucleus) from which all other Prussian monarchs could use and grow Prussia.
Also Junkers is pronounced as "Yuung-kaers".
In all, a good job

[fuzzydunlop]

No wonder he didn't send them into battle. Physically imposing people are usually at a disadvantage in open combat, especially when it comes to firearms. Small person, small target.

[lindaavila]

first exposure to your channel. video was awesome!

[sadxxwednesday]

My god, this guy looks just like Matt Damon, albeit a very knowledgeable one.

[saeed]

Below is an expanding and (roughly) chronological list of links to European history videos (generally these feature lecturers who summarize material well and deliver it in an engaging way, such as Tom Richey and Paul Sargent, or great animators featuring maps that illustrate the passage of events geographically). The units correspond to those of AP EURO (see link all the way at the end). A few videos on a 'Crown and Church estates' series from Marty Rady (of University College London) are sprinkled in, which feature the importance of Central Europe, an area that is generally not covered sufficiently in most introductory courses. While most of these materials are appropriate for AP Euro students, undergraduates, particularly those who want a refresher before taking more advanced courses, and life-long learners may also benefit from them. These materials compare quite favorably with 'massive open online courses' (MOOCs), and often are better, IMHO. Combined with a reading of some primary sources (many now easily available online in translation) and viewings of art from the eras covered (many great works can be viewed in high-resolution online), one can acquire a fairly good understanding of the last 500 years or so of European history in a relatively short period. Anything comparable would simply not have been possible for most people 20 years ago, and probably not even 10 years ago. Kudos to the content providers!

Unit 0

Unit 1: Renaissance and Exploration

Unit 2: Age of Reformation

Unit 3: Absolutism and Constitutionalism

Unit 4: Scientific, Philosophical, and Political Developments