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Saturday, April 17, 2021

What is Prussia? Understanding Prussian History

 

So your ancestors are listed in records as “Prussian,” but you can’t find Prussia on modern maps of Europe. What gives? Before being absorbed into Germany, “Prussia” (German: Preussen) was a major military and economic power in Central Europe during the 18th and 19th centuries. Let’s take a look at Prussian history to see what we can learn about your Prussian ancestors.

First of all: Where was Prussia? At its peak, Prussia included half of modern Poland and all but southern Germany. Though itself one of Germany’s many states, Prussia at one point included: West Prussia, East Prussia, Brandenburg (including Berlin), Saxony, Pomerania, the Rhineland, Westphalia, non-Austrian Silesia, Lusatia, Schleswig-Holstein, Hanover, and Hesse-Nassau.