Prussia
The Army and the Bureacracy
Leaders
Frederick William I: Built up Prussian bureaucracy, established the General Directory.Kept a close watch on his officials, kept serfdom.
Frederick II: Embraced Enlightenment ideals, banned torture in most cases, believed that the monarch was a servant of the state, granted freedom of speech and press, as well as complete religious toleration.
Power structure
The King, who established the General Directory. Chief Administrative agent which supervised the military, police, economic, and financial affairs. The nobility was loyal to the monarch, no other class really mattered. Frederick the Great expanded Prussia, and was recognized as a great European power.
Accomplishments
Produced 4th biggest army in Europe at the time, created a system known for efficiency and honesty. They were regarded as one of the best armies in Europe, and they held virtues of duty, obedience, and sacrifice. Gained land from Austria and Poland.
Failures
Frederick the Great wanted to abolish serfdom, but could not due to Prussia's reliance on it. Made Prussian society more aristocratic, and made social mobility more difficult than before.