. For centuries, the House of Hohenzollern
ruled Prussia, successfully expanding its size by way of an unusually well-organized and effective army. Prussia shaped the history of Germany
, with its capital in Berlin
after 1451. After 1871, Prussia was increasingly merged into Germany, losing its distinctive identity. It was effectively abolished in 1932, and officially abolished in 1947.
The name Prussia derives from the Old Prussians
.
1456 The University of Greifswald is established, making it the second oldest university in northern Europe (also for a period the oldest in Sweden, and Prussia)
1701 Frederick I becomes King of Prussia.
1740 Maria Theresa takes the throne of Austria. France, Prussia, Bavaria and Saxony refuse to honour the Pragmatic Sanction and the War of the Austrian Succession begins.
1741 War of the Austrian Succession: Prussia defeats Austria in the Battle of Mollwitz.
1757 Battle of Kolín between Prussian forces under Frederick the Great and an Austrian army under the command of Field Marshal Count Leopold Joseph von Daun in the Seven Years' War.
1758 Seven Years' War: Austria defeats Prussia at the Battle of Hochkirk
1762 Russia and Prussia sign the Treaty of St. Petersburg.
1762 Sweden and Prussia sign the Treaty of Hamburg.
1793 Second Partition of Poland: Russia and Prussia partition Poland for the second time.
1793 Prussia re-conquers Mainz from France.