East Prussia

East Prussia was a province of the Kingdom of Prussia from 1773 to 1829 and again from 1878 (with the Kingdom itself being part of the German Empire from 1871); following World War I it formed part of the Weimar Republic's Free State of Prussia. After World War II, the majority of East Prussia was annexed by the Soviet Union, and the German population expelled. The remaining part of the province was administered by Poland.

History

East Prussia was inhabited by tribes of Old Prussians (Baltic tribes), who were conquered by the Teutonic Knights in the 13th century. The Knights initiated a policy of Germanization and Christianization among the indigenous population. In 1525, Grand Master Albert of Prussia converted to Lutheranism and turned the Teutonic State into the Duchy of Prussia, a fief of Poland.

In 1701, the Duchy of Prussia became the Kingdom of Prussia. East Prussia was made a province of the Kingdom in 1773. The province was a part of the German Empire from 1871 until 1918, then became a part of the Weimar Republic and later Nazi Germany.

After World War II, East Prussia was divided between the Soviet Union and Poland. The German population was expelled, and the area was resettled by Poles and Russians.

Geography

East Prussia was located at the eastern extreme of the Kingdom of Prussia. The capital city was Königsberg. The province was bordered by the Baltic Sea to the north, Lithuania to the east and northeast, and Poland to the south. It also bordered the German provinces of West Prussia to the west and Brandenburg to the southwest.

Culture

The culture of East Prussia was largely shaped by its history as a part of the Kingdom of Prussia and the German Empire. The region was predominantly Lutheran, with a significant Catholic minority. The German language was the primary language of instruction and administration.