Analyze the Military, Political and Social Factors for the Rise of Absolutism in Austria, Prussia and Russia in the 17th and 18th Centuries
Austria, Prussia, and Russia all were absolute nations. Prussia and Russia were known for being very powerful states, though Austria was was being weakened at the time because almost everyone was against the Hapsburgs. Although some of their military, political, and social factors came quite close, each of the states specifically used each one to contribute to their rise to Absolutism. To begin, Prussia was not only known for its strong military but also its political enhancement. People comment that "Prussia was an army before it was a nation." This is an example explaining how well thought and prepared they were military wise. Their leader, Frederick II, was known as a military genius which obviously contributes to their military success. Though, they weren't just known for being defense-ready. During the eighteenth century while Voltaire was alive and making valuable changes he improved laws, fostered industry, and helped to increase great nationalism. Socially, Prussia was weaker though it still had some education reforms and religious toleration during the seventeenth and eighteenth century. All of these reason contribute to Prussia's rise to Absolutism, especially because its military was unstoppable.The rise of Prussia between 1640 and 1786 occurred as a result of a combination of military, political, and Social Factors. War and the threat of war aided Frederick William and Frederick William I greatly in their attempts to build royal absolutism in Prussia. Due to the wartime atmosphere, Frederick William and Frederick William I were able to reduce the political power of the landlord nobility, and allow them to keep control over the peasantry. The landlords, satisfied with being unchallenged masters of their peasants, did not challenge the monarchs’ power, which ultimately led to the rise of Prussia. When Frederick William, of the Hohenzollern family, later known as the “Great Elector,” gained power in 1640, in Brandenburg, Prussia, and scattered land