Prussia in the 18th century- written by a noble Habsburg

Dear Journal,

I am writing to you from my desk in Brandenburg. My biggest fears have come true. Whether the rest of my family wants to admit it or not, the decline of the Holy Roman Empire is upon us. The independent states, including the Prussian state from which I write, are becoming increasingly powerful. With the Wars of Spanish, Austrian, and Polish Succession behind us, our Empire is growing all too weak. Our empire is on the brink of disaster. While the local monarchs have gained more control, they have pushed us out, leaving us in control only of the peasants.

This limited control does have its benefits, however. The peasants that have been tied to our family from generation to generation have helped us tremendously with the growth of our estate. The serfs have no way of demanding pay but they have no way out. The surplus of crops such as wheat and timber allow us to profit greatly in our trade with western cities. Perhaps we can re-strengthen our Empire into the powerful force it once was.

Until then,

Lord Habsburg-Lorraine