[[File:Acprussiamap2.gif|thumb|300px|After 1763, Prussia became a European great power. The rivalry between Prussia and Austria for the leadership of Germany began]]

[[File:Acprussiamap2.gif|thumb|300px|After 1763, Prussia became a European great power. The rivalry between Prussia and Austria for the leadership of Germany began]]

From 1640, [[Brandenburg-Prussia]] had started to rise under the Great Elector, [[Frederick William, Elector of Brandenburg|Frederick William]]. The [[Peace of Westphalia]] in 1648 strengthened it even further, through the acquisition of East Pomerania. From 1713 to 1740, [[Frederick William I of Prussia|King Frederick William I]], also known as the "Soldier King", established a highly centralized, militarized state with a heavily rural population of about three million (compared to the nine million in Austria).

From 1640, [[Brandenburg-Prussia]] had started to rise under the Great Elector, [[Frederick William, the Great Elector|Frederick William]]. The [[Peace of Westphalia]] in 1648 strengthened it even further, through the acquisition of East Pomerania. From 1713 to 1740, [[Frederick William I of Prussia|King Frederick William I]], also known as the "Soldier King", established a highly centralized, militarized state with a heavily rural population of about three million (compared to the nine million in Austria).

In terms of the boundaries of 1914, Germany in 1700 had a population of 16 million, increasing slightly to 17 million by 1750, and growing more rapidly to 24 million by 1800. Wars continued, but they were no longer so devastating to the civilian population; famines and major epidemics did not occur, but increased agricultural productivity led to a higher birth rate, and a lower death rate.{{cite book |first=James J. |last=Sheehan | title=German History: 1770–1866 |url=https://archive.org/details/germanhistory17700shee |url-access=registration |year=1989 | pages=[https://archive.org/details/germanhistory17700shee/page/75 75], 207-291, 291-323, 324-371, 802-820|publisher=Clarendon Press |isbn=978-0-19-822120-3 }}

In terms of the boundaries of 1914, Germany in 1700 had a population of 16 million, increasing slightly to 17 million by 1750, and growing more rapidly to 24 million by 1800. Wars continued, but they were no longer so devastating to the civilian population; famines and major epidemics did not occur, but increased agricultural productivity led to a higher birth rate, and a lower death rate.{{cite book |first=James J. |last=Sheehan | title=German History: 1770–1866 |url=https://archive.org/details/germanhistory17700shee |url-access=registration |year=1989 | pages=[https://archive.org/details/germanhistory17700shee/page/75 75], 207-291, 291-323, 324-371, 802-820|publisher=Clarendon Press |isbn=978-0-19-822120-3 }}