300 Years of Ravensberg as Part of Brandenburg-Prussia?

A Lavish Anniversary Celebration

On June 24, 1909, the Halle district—which was still independent at the time—held lavish celebrations to mark the 300th anniversary of the County of Ravensberg’s alleged incorporation into Brandenburg-Prussia. Numerous guests of honor had gathered when the district administrator unveiled a commemorative plaque on the grounds of Ravensberg Castle. It reads: “1609–1909. In commemoration of the 300th anniversary of the union of the County of Ravensberg with Brandenburg-Prussia. Erected by the Halle district under the benevolent reign of Emperor Wilhelm II.”

Loyalty to the Emperor and National Pride

Following the death of his father in 1888, Emperor Wilhelm II (1859–1941) became not only King of Prussia but also Emperor of the German Empire, which had been founded in 1871. During his reign, a strong sense of national pride developed. Wilhelm II pursued an aggressive colonial and military policy. In retrospect, this era is referred to as the “Wilhelmine Era” or “Wilhelminism.” Ultimately, this mindset and the arms race among the European powers led to the outbreak of World War I (1914–1918), at the end of which the Kaiser was forced to abdicate and flee into exile. A republic replaced the monarchy. The verse engraved on the memorial plaque in 1909—“As long as German oaks stand, Ravensberg shall not perish”—had thus not come true.

A Critical Look at the Anniversary

In any case, the anniversary celebrations of 1909 served primarily to pay homage to the Kaiser. “Wilhelminism” was therefore also clearly evident in the Halle district and the Borgholzhausen administrative district. No wonder, then, that people did not take the historical facts all that seriously. Upon closer inspection, it turns out that the County of Ravensberg did not actually become part of Brandenburg-Prussia as early as 1609. The truth is that in 1609, the previous rulers of the county died out. This sparked a bitter succession dispute involving, among others, the Electors of Brandenburg. In the decades that followed, the County of Ravensberg was repeatedly subject to a divided or joint administration by several powers before treaties brought clarity in the second half of the 17th century. It was only from that point on that the county truly belonged to the Electorate of Brandenburg—and later to Prussia.

300 years of Ravensberg of Brandenburg-Prussia?

Prussian Staging of Power

300 years of Ravensberg of Brandenburg-Prussia?

A Forceful Show of Strength