“The history of Prussia is not a history of the genesis of a nation. Having arisen originally as a military colony of the Teutonic Order” PrussiaTeutonic OrderPrussian Empire Book:Marx and Engels on Reactionary Prussianism Source: Marx and Engels on Reactionary Prussianism
“the troops were composed of peasant serfs and poor burghers who were forcibly compelled to enlist. Recruiting frequently degenerated into sheer manhunts which led to bloody clashes. The whole system of military training was of a piece with these acts of cruelty and violence. ‘A soldier should fear his officer more than his enemy.’ Such was the principle laid down by Frederick II.” GermanyUkrainePrussiaPrussianismPrussian EmpirePress Gangs Book:Marx and Engels on Reactionary Prussianism Source: Marx and Engels on Reactionary Prussianism