Explain why only Prussia allowed some freedom of religion in the 1700s, But Austria and Prussia attacked and took land away from Poland.
In the 1700s, Prussia and Austria emerged as significant powers in Europe, both engaging in territorial expansion and exerting their influence in the region. However, there were differences in the way they approached religious freedom and their actions towards Poland.
Firstly, Prussia, under the leadership of Frederick II (Frederick the Great), adopted a relatively more tolerant approach towards religious diversity compared to other European nations at the time. Prussia implemented a policy known as the "Religions Edict of Potsdam" in 1685, which granted religious tolerance and certain rights to Protestant dissenters, specifically Calvinists and Lutherans. This edict aimed to attract skilled artisans and intellectuals to Prussia, thereby stimulating economic growth and cultural development.
On the other hand, Austria, under the rule of the Habsburg dynasty, predominantly adhered to Catholicism. The Habsburgs sought to maintain Catholic dominance within their territories, and therefore were less inclined to grant religious freedom to religious minorities. Catholicism was officially recognized as the state religion, and other religious groups faced restrictions and discrimination.
As for the partition of Poland, it is essential to understand the context of political and territorial dynamics in Europe during that time. Poland was a vulnerable state, marked by internal political divisions, weak governance, and a declining military. This made it an attractive target for both Prussia and Austria, who aimed to expand their territories and exert influence in Central Europe.
The first partition of Poland occurred in 1772 when Prussia, Austria, and Russia collectively annexed parts of Polish territories. The primary motivation for this partition was to weaken Poland as a rival power and to divide its land among the three invading powers. While Prussia had shown some religious tolerance within its own borders, this did not extend to its actions towards Poland during the partitions.
The subsequent partitions of Poland in 1793 and 1795 saw further loss of Polish territory. These partitions were driven by the political ambitions of neighboring powers and the desire to exploit Poland's weakened position. It is important to note that while Prussia did participate in the partitions, it was not the sole agitator. Austria and Russia also played significant roles, with Russia taking the largest portion of land.
In conclusion, Prussia's relatively lenient stance on religious freedom within its borders was not a determining factor in their actions towards Poland during the partitions. The partitions themselves were driven by political motives, territorial ambitions, and the weakened state of Poland. Austria and Prussia, along with Russia, all participated in the partitions and took land away from Poland, which ultimately led to the dissolution of the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth.