The name "Prussia" refers to a region on the southeastern coast of the Baltic Sea and to a German state that rose to prominence from the 18th to the 20th centuries. The original Prussians were related to the Latvians and Lithuanians, speaking a Baltic language. These tribes inhabited the area between the Vistula and Neman rivers. In the 13th century, the Teutonic Knights, a German crusading order, conquered and Christianized the Prussians, leading to assimilation and a German-speaking majority by the 14th century.
The Kingdom of Prussia, officially established in 1701, grew to include Brandenburg and other territories, with Berlin as its capital. The House of Hohenzollern ruled for centuries, expanding Prussia's size and military might. Prussia played a key role in German unification in 1871, forming the German Empire. Known for its militarism and efficient bureaucracy, Prussia left a lasting impact on German culture. Key figures like Frederick the Great led Prussia to become a major European power through military victories and reforms. The state was officially abolished in 1947 by the Allied declaration after World War II.
