The era from 1415 to 1618 in Brandenburg was marked by the gradual emergence of a centralized state, the strategic territorial expansion, and the foundational development of what would become one of Europe’s most powerful dynasties. The Hohenzollerns’ political strategies, combined with significant cultural and religious shifts, transformed Brandenburg from a marginal margraviate into a significant power, which would play a central role in the subsequent centuries of European history.
[1]
The Hohenzollern era in Brandenburg began with Frederick I’s elevation to Elector of Brandenburg in 1415, granted by Emperor Sigismund as a reward for his support against the Hussites, changing the Margraviate of Brandenburg to the Electorate of Brandenburg.
[1]
One of the pivotal figures of this era was Frederick II Elector of Brandenburg, who reigned from 1440 to 1470. Known as "Frederick the Iron," he centralized authority, reduced the power of the local nobility, and established a more cohesive state. His efforts laid the groundwork for the transformation of Brandenburg into a more centralized territorial state.
[2]
Under Elector Joachim II (1535-1571), Brandenburg officially adopted Lutheranism, aligning itself with the Protestant states within the Empire. This religious shift not only reflected the broader European religious transformations but also served as a political tool to assert greater independence from imperial Catholic influences and to consolidate internal governance.
[3]
John Sigismund’s accession in 1608 marked the beginning of Brandenburg’s expansion into the Duchy of Prussia. His acceptance of the Prussian dukedom in 1618 through inheritance established the personal union between Brandenburg and Prussia.
[4]
[1]: Hansjoachim Wolfgang Koch, A History of Prussia (New York: Barnes & Noble, 1978). Zotero link: FS2NYAJR
[2]: Deutsche Biographie, “Friedrich II. - Deutsche Biographie,” Zotero link: 9GPFMNB8
[3]: Mathis Leibetseder, Joachim II. von Brandenburg: Kurfürst Zwischen Renaissance Und Reformation, Veröffentlichungen aus den Archiven Preussischer Kulturbesitz. Forschungen Band 15 (Berlin: Duncker & Humblot, 2022). Zotero link: ZI9KVPJI
[4]: Heinz Immekeppel, Das Herzogtum Preussen von 1603 Bis 1618, Studien zur Geschichte Preussens Bd. 24 (Köln: G. Grote, 1975). Zotero link: XUFQZXAA
| de_hohenzollern_1 vassalage to de_empire_3 | 1415 CE 1453 CE |
| Brandenburg-Prussia |
| Succeeding: Brandenburg-Prussia (de_hohenzollern_2) [territorial consolidation] |
| loose | 1415 CE 1539 CE |
| confederated state | 1539 CE 1618 CE |
| Christianity |
| Catholicism | 1415 CE 1539 CE |
| Protestantism | 1539 CE 1618 CE |
| Year Range | Electorate of Brandenburg (de_hohenzollern_1) was in: |
|---|
The Electorate of Brandenburg’s degree of centralization saw gradual increases during this period, particularly as the Hohenzollerns worked to consolidate their control over the territory and diminish the power of the local nobility, known as the Junkers.
Initially, the Hohenzollerns faced a fragmented state with significant autonomy held by local nobles. Frederick I, the first Hohenzollern Elector of Brandenburg, and his successors worked to centralize authority but were often constrained by the power of the estates.
Albert Achilles’s establishment of the Dispositio Achillea in 1473, which ensured that Brandenburg would remain united under a single ruler, was a crucial step towards centralization.
Joachim II introduced the Lutheran Reformation to Brandenburg in 1539, which, alongside centralizing religious authority, also allowed for the consolidation of secular power as church properties were secularized and brought under Elector control.
After 1656 the outright bypassing of the Estate rule and the establishment of new governance structures by the territorial lord mark a definitive move towards a ’unitary state’.
[1]
[1]: Johannes Schultze, Die Mark Brandenburg, 2e ed. (Berlin: Duncker und Humblot, 1989). Zotero link: TBJ2MH6T
Joachim II introduced the Lutheran Reformation to Brandenburg in 1539. [1]
[1]: Johannes Schultze, Die Mark Brandenburg, 2e ed. (Berlin: Duncker und Humblot, 1989). Zotero link: TBJ2MH6T