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Brandenburg (as an Independent Country): Guide
Brandenburg existed as an independent country in two different periods. Initially established as a Margraviate in 1157, it was ruled by the Ascanids until 1323. From that year it was part of other States of the Holy Roman Empire. It was re-established as an Electorate for Frederick VI of Nuremberg, from the House of Hohenzollern in 1412, but eventually ceased to exist as an independent country when it was merged with Prussia in 1618.
1. History
The chronology of all the territorial changes of the nation is available here.
The Margraviate of Brandenburg (1157–1323)
The Margraviate of Brandenburg was founded in 1157 by Albert the Bear, a prince of the House of Ascania. Brandenburg was originally inhabited by Slavic tribes. Albert conquered the Brandenburg territory and had himself recognized as margrave by the emperor of the Holy Roman Empire.
Scheme depicting the State Succession of Brandenburg (in dark red).
Origins of the March of Brandenburg
After the Slavic uprising of 983, only narrow strips on the right bank of the Elbe remained under German control. In 1134, Emperor Lothair of Supplinburg invested Albert the Bear of the House of Ascania with what was left of the old Northern March of Gero, a region later known as Altmark.
At the time, most of the Brandenburg region was governed by Pribislav, also known as Henry, a Slavic prince. He appointed Albert as his successor. When Pribislav died in 1157, Albert inherited his lands and founded the Margraviate of Brandenburg. Albert chose Brandenburg as his seat because of its favorable location at the crossroads of important long-distance trade routes that crossed the Havel River.
Albert first appeared as Margrave of Brandenburg in a document dated October 3, 1157. The Ascanians promoted the colonization of the territory by encouraging the arrival of German settlers from other parts of the Empire, leading to the founding of new towns and villages and the conversion of the Slavic population to Christianity.
The Reign of John I and Otto III
Albert II died in 1220, leaving two heirs, John I (born in 1213) and Otto III (born in 1214/15). The Battle of Bornhöved in 1227 was a decisive Ascanian victory, securing their claim over Pomerania, formalized by Emperor Frederick II in 1231.
John I and Otto III earned the title "founders of cities" for establishing 19 cities during their joint reign. Among them was Cölln, first mentioned in 1237, founded on an island in the Spree River across from its twin city, Berlin, which was first mentioned in 1244.
The mid-13th century was a time of territorial expansion for Brandenburg, including the acquisition of Uckermark in 1250.
War for Gdańsk
In 1307, Władysław I the Elbow-high clashed with the local nobility in Pomerania. The Brandenburg margraves took advantage, acquiring Schlawe, Stolp, and Rügenwalde. In 1309, Margrave Waldemar sold his rights to Gdańsk, Dirschau, and Schwetz to the Teutonic Order for 10,000 silver marks.
End of the Independent Margraviate
With the death of Waldemar of the Stendal line, the last Ascanian margrave, the dynasty ended. Emperor Louis IV of the House of Wittelsbach declared Brandenburg a vacant fief and annexed it, marking the end of Brandenburg as an independent political entity.
The Electorate of Brandenburg (1412–1618)
Brandenburg became an Electorate in 1356. Emperor Charles IV formalized the list of rulers entitled to vote in imperial elections in the Golden Bull, limiting it to seven, including the ruler of Brandenburg.
In 1411, King Sigismund of Luxembourg appointed Frederick VI of Nuremberg, from the House of Hohenzollern, as hereditary elector of Brandenburg. The official transfer took place on April 30, 1415, marking the beginning of Hohenzollern rule, which lasted for centuries.
The Protestant Reformation
The Protestant Reformation had a major impact on Brandenburg in the 16th century. In 1539, Elector Joachim II introduced Lutheranism, secularizing Catholic Church property and strengthening the margrave's power.
The Union of Brandenburg and Prussia
In 1618, Margrave John Sigismund of Brandenburg inherited the Duchy of Prussia through his marriage to Anna, daughter of Duke Albert Frederick of Prussia. The 1618 union laid the foundation for the Brandenburg-Prussia state, a key player in German history.
2. Political System
The political system of the Margraviate and Electorate of Brandenburg underwent a significant evolution over several centuries, transitioning from a fragmented march to a key component of a rising European power, the Kingdom of Prussia.
In 1415, Emperor Sigismund bestowed the Margraviate upon Frederick VI of Nuremberg of the House of Hohenzollern, with the hereditary electoral dignity. The ruler of Brandenburg held the prestigious title of Prince-Elector of the Holy Roman Empire, granting him the right to participate in the election of the Holy Roman Emperor.
Over the 17th century, under the rule of Frederick William (1640–1688), known as the Great Elector, Brandenburg began a crucial transformation towards a more centralized and powerful state.
3. Territory
The Landbuch of 1375, commissioned by Emperor Charles IV, described Brandenburg's territorial structure. It was divided into Marchia Transalbanea, Transalpina, and Mittelmark. The Electorate included Altmark, Mittelmark, and Neumark. Key cities included Berlin, Brandenburg, Frankfurt an der Oder, and Potsdam.
Territorial Acquisitions of Brandenburg Coloured by first ruler that annexed the territory.
4. Society
Brandenburg was originally inhabited by Slavic tribes. After Albert the Bear's conquest, the Ascanians encouraged German colonization, leading to the founding of cities and villages, the spread of the German language and culture, and the Christianization of the Slavs.
There was also a significant influx of Dutch families, especially near the Elbe River. Archbishop Wichmann of Magdeburg established a Dutch colony in a fertile area near the Elbe.
Time Series of the Population of Brandenburg. Note that in the period 1323-1411 the population is zero because Brandeburg was part of other Polities, and thus not an independent Polity according to the assumptions used in Phersu Atlas.
5. Economy
Brandenburg's economy relied on agriculture and trade. Marshlands were drained to expand farmland, and the territory's strategic location along major trade routes supported commerce. From 1411 to 1618, towns grew, trade expanded, and new agricultural technologies drove steady economic growth. With access to the Baltic Sea, Brandenburg gained strategic trade and military advantages.
6. Culture
Brandenburg's cultural development was deeply intertwined with the spread of Christianity and the establishment of ecclesiastical institutions. The Ascanians founded numerous monasteries and churches throughout the Margraviate, including the monasteries of Lehnin (1180/1183) and Arendsee (1183).
The Hohenzollern period saw a gradual shift towards Renaissance humanism, particularly after the Reformation. Brandenburg became a center of Protestant culture and learning, with the establishment of schools and universities that would later shape the intellectual life of the region.
Sources
- Droysen, G. (1886): Historischer Handatlas, Bielefeld and Leipzig (Germany).
- Gurney, G. (1982). Kingdoms of Europe: an illustrated encyclopedia of ruling monarchs from ancient times to the present.
- Kleinhenz, C. (2017). Routledge Revivals: Medieval Italy (2004): An Encyclopedia. Routledge.
- Middleton, J. (2015). World monarchies and dynasties. Routledge.
- Phillips, C. / Axelrod, A. (2005): Encyclopedia of Wars, Facts On File, New York (USA).
- Venning, T. (2017). A Chronology of Early Medieval Western Europe: 450–1066. Routledge.