The rise of Prussia and its role in German development is central to eighteenth and nineteenth century European history. In this collection, the analysis goes beyond the political, military and diplomatic concerns of the Prussian elite and explains its rise in relation to Prussian society as a whole. Political analysis is integrated with material on such areas as agrarian society, urban life and religion, which are not fully examined in existing histories.

List of Maps and Tables List of Prussian Rulers Preface About the Contributors Introduction: The rise of Prussia 1. Prussia in history and historiography from the eighteenth to the nineteenth century, Stefan Berger Part One: Politics, Religion and Society 2. Frederick William I and the beginnings of Prussian absolutism, 1713-1740, Rodney Gothelf 3. Piety, politics and society: Pietism in eighteenth-century Prussia, Christopher Clark 4. Prussia and the Enlightenment, Johan van der Zande Part Two: The Rural and Urban Environment 5. The transformation of the rural economy in East Elbian Prussia, 1750-1830 6. The development of the Prussian town, 1720-1815, Karin Friedrich Part Three: The State and the Army 7. Prussia's emergence as a European great power, 1740-1763, H. M. Scott 8. 1763-1786: The Second Reign of Frederick the Great? H. M. Scott 9. The Prussian military state, 1763-1806, Hagen Schulze 10. Prussia's army: continuity and change, 1713-1830, Dennis Showalter Part Four: Prussia, The French Revolution 11. Prussia during the French Revolutionary and Napoleonic Wars, 1786-1815, Philip G. Dwyer 12. The Prussian Reform Movement and the rise of enlightened nationalism, Matthew Levinger Suggestions for further reading, A note on further research possibilities, Index