Preussen / Prussia year 1850/67 stamps Used lot

Preussen / Prussia year 1850/67 stamps ☀ Used lot

The Kingdom of Prussia, which existed from 1701 to 1918, was a significant German state that played a central role in the unification of Germany in 1866 and the subsequent formation of the German Empire. Despite its name being derived from the region of Prussia, its power base was centered in the Margraviate of Brandenburg, with Berlin as its capital.

The kings of Prussia belonged to the House of Hohenzollern. Brandenburg-Prussia, the kingdom’s predecessor, became a military power under Frederick William, Elector of Brandenburg, also known as “The Great Elector.” Prussia continued to rise as a kingdom, particularly during the reign of Frederick II, also known as “the Great,” who played a pivotal role in the Seven Years’ War (1756–1763), asserting Prussia’s dominance among the German states and establishing it as a European great power.

Prussia aimed to unify all German states (excluding those in Switzerland) under its rule, although the inclusion of Austria was a contentious issue. The aftermath of the Napoleonic Wars led to the creation of the German Confederation, but attempts at unification failed, resulting in the collapse of the German Confederation in 1866 after the Austro-Prussian War.

Subsequently, Prussia played a central role in establishing the North German Confederation in 1866, which later evolved into the unified German Empire in 1871. The Franco-Prussian War of 1870–1871 solidified the unification of all German states under Prussian hegemony, driven by a surge of nationalism following victory over Napoleon III.

The German Revolution of 1918–1919 led to the transformation of the Kingdom of Prussia into the Free State of Prussia, marking the end of its monarchical rule.