Compare And Contrast The Absolutist Monarchs Of Brandenburg-Germany

The early modern era marked an important watershed for the development of the modern state. Louis XVI of France and Fredrick the great elector of Brandenburg-Prussia are exemplars of an absolutist monarch, but the similarities and differences in their approach would have far-reaching consequences for Europe as a whole. The first important aspect of centralization was the consolidation of the military. Both Louis and Fredrick reformed and reorganized their armies, commissioning new weapons, uniforms and organizational systems, continuing the trend towards professionalization and expansion. There were differences in the degree of focus on the army – Frederick utilized more resources relative to those available to him; however, overall the method of reform for the army was similar for both these absolutist monarchs, whom wished
The restriction of land sales and the creation of an officer corps limited the possibility of social mobility and entrenched the power of the Junkers. In this aspect France and Brandenburg-Prussia differ greatly – the nobility either consolidated or lost most of it’s power. In economic policy, there are both similarities and differences. Both monarchs improved the efficiency and quantity of tax collections through the introduction of excise taxes and professionalizing the bureaucracy. However, the unique requirements of each state meant that the economic development of these states progressed in different manners. In France the domestic demand for commercial goods and led towards the development of a burglar middle class, albeit one that was less independent than the English or the Dutch. Louis XVI encouraged the export of goods in order to bring money into the economy and create a commercial capitalist