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- Title
Chelion Begass, Armer Adel in Preußen 1770–1830, Berlin: Duncker & Humblot 2020, 457 S. (= Quellen und Forschungen zur Brandenburgischen und Preußischen Geschichte, 52), EUR 99,90 [ISBN 978‑3‑428‑15652‑8].
- Authors
Lindner, Thomas
- Abstract
The study "Poor Nobility in Prussia 1770-1830" by Chelion Begass examines the precarious economic situation of a large part of the Prussian nobility during the transition from the estate-based to the bourgeois society. The investigation is based on statistical sources and petitions from nobles to the crown, which prove the alarming poverty and limited state aid options. Especially in the eastern provinces, there were significant differences between the rich and the poor nobility, with many estates not being profitable and inheritance often leading to debt traps. Prussia's defeat against Napoleon further exacerbated the financial situation of many nobles. The Prussian army reform questioned the nobility's access to officer positions and threatened the existence of many nobles. Poverty among the service nobility was widespread and caused by low salaries, early marriages, and high number of children. Poor nobles had limited opportunities to earn a living and relied on state support. There was no apparent solidarity among the nobility, and many nobles had to earn their livelihood through manual labor or in subordinate positions. The liberation wars against Napoleon offered many officers the opportunity to return to military service. Many noble families lived in precarious economic conditions and had limited prospects of permanently escaping this situation. The study shows that the economic situation of the nobility contributed to questioning their privileged position in the state.
- Subjects
PRUSSIA (Germany); ARMER Adel in Preussen 1770-1830 (Book); MIDDLE class; BEGASS, Chelion; NAPOLEON I, Emperor of the French, 1769-1821; NOBILITY (Social class); MANUAL labor; GOVERNMENT aid; NONFICTION; MILITARY service; WAR; CHILD marriage
- Publication
Militärgeschichtliche Zeitschrift, 2022, Vol 81, Issue 1, p322
- ISSN
2193-2336
- Publication type
Book Review
- DOI
10.1515/mgzs-2022-0028