Age of Absolutism : Germany

The almost sovereign principalities took over the absolutist form of government modeled onthe French. Absolutism gave the ruler limitless power while at the same time allowing tight administrations to be built up, an organized fiscal policy to be introduced and new armies to be mobilized. Many princes aspired to making their residences cultural focal points. Some of them, representatives of “enlightened absolutism”, encouraged learning and philosophy, albeit within the confines of their power interests.

The policy of state control of all economic life also allowed the absolutistically ruled states to gain in economic strength. Thus lands such as Bavaria, Brandenburg (the later Prussia), Saxony and Hanover were able to develop into power centers in their own right. Austria, which repelled the attacking Turks and acquired Hungary as well as parts of the formerly Turkish Balkan countries, rose to a large power. A rival to it developed in the 18th century in the form of Prussia, which under FrederickII the Great (1740-1786) grew mto a first-rank military power. Both states sought to assert their authority in Europe.