Prussia

[ pruhsh-uh ]

noun

1. a former state in N Europe: became a military power in the 18th century and in 1871 led the formation of the German empire; formally abolished as an administrative unit in 1947.

Prussia

/ ˈprʌʃə /

noun

1. a former German state in N and central Germany, extending from France and the Low Countries to the Baltic Sea and Poland: developed as the chief military power of the Continent, leading the North German Confederation from 1867–71, when the German Empire was established; dissolved in 1947 and divided between East and West Germany, Poland, and the former Soviet Union. Area: (in 1939) 294 081 sq km (113 545 sq miles) German namePreussen

Prussia

1. Former state in north-central Germany . At the height of its power, Prussia occupied more than half of present-day Germany, stretching from The Netherlands and Belgium in the west to Lithuania in the east.

Notes

After Germany's defeat in World War II , Prussia was abolished as a state, and its territory was divided among East Germany , West Germany , the Soviet Union , and Poland.

During the eighteenth century, Prussia established its independence from Poland , built up a strong army, and undertook a successful conquest of north-central Europe .

In the nineteenth century, Prussia led the economic and political unification of the German states, establishing itself as the largest and most influential of these states, with Berlin as the capital of the German Empire.

Prussians are often depicted as authoritarian, militaristic, and extremely orderly, a characterization based on the unswerving obedience of their army.

Example Sentences

Within a month of launching their invasion of East Prussia, the Russians had been driven back across their own border, and three-quarters of the 400,000-man invading force had been killed, wounded, or captured.

From Literature

It was said that Prussia, the nucleus of the German state, was not a country with an army but an army with a country.

From Salon

Plans to digitize the country’s prized but paperbound bureaucracy, which traces its roots to 19th-century Prussia, largely stalled last year, according to an official index.

From New York Times

His writings have intrigued heads of state from Prussia’s Frederick the Great to U.S. president Bill Clinton.

From National Geographic

The Independence Day holiday celebrates the restoration of Poland’s national sovereignty in 1918, at the end of World War I and after 123 years of rule by Prussia, Austria and Russia.

From Seattle Times