Editing History of Germany (section)

===Smaller states===
[[Image:Residenzschloss Ludwigsburg.jpg|thumb|upright=1.15|[[Ludwigsburg Palace]] in Württemberg]]
[[File:Karl Friedrich von Baden.jpg|thumb|upright|Karl Friedrich ruled Baden from 1738 to 1811.]]
The smaller German states were overshadowed by Prussia and Austria. [[Electorate of Bavaria|Bavaria]] had a [[rural economics|rural economy]]. [[Electorate of Saxony|Saxony]] was in economically good shape, although numerous wars had taken their toll. During the time when Prussia rose rapidly within Germany, Saxony was distracted by foreign affairs. The House of Wettin concentrated on acquiring and then holding on to the Polish throne which was ultimately unsuccessful.{{Sfn|Holborn|1964|pp=291–299}}{{Clarify|date=March 2022}}<!-- Please provide some quotes. Which duke? Granted, I'm looking at the 1982 edition but if the writer deleted that much from his book, these parts probably should not be here. Other than Bavaria having a rural economy, I do not see lethargy, dogs, mistresses, Wettin, government being mismanaged et al. mentioned anywhere; also, that rulers of smaller German states were largely irresponsible and lavish people during almost a century is quite a broad generalization -->

Many of the smaller states of Germany were run by bishops, who in reality were from powerful noble families and showed scant interest in religion. While none of the later ecclesial rulers reached the outstanding reputation of Mainz' [[Johann Philipp von Schönborn]] or Münster's [[Christoph Bernhard von Galen]], some of them promoted [[Age of Enlightenment|Enlightenment]] like the benevolent and progressive [[Franz Ludwig von Erthal]] in [[Prince-Bishopric of Würzburg|Würzburg]] and [[Prince-Bishopric of Bamberg|Bamberg]].{{Sfn|Holborn|1964|pp=299–302}}

In [[Landgraviate of Hesse-Kassel|Hesse-Kassel]], the Landgrave [[Frederick II, Landgrave of Hesse-Kassel|Frederick II]], ruled from 1760 to 1785 as an enlightened despot, and raised money by renting soldiers ([[Hessian (soldier)|called "Hessians"]]) to [[Great Britain]] to help fight the [[American Revolutionary War]]. He combined Enlightenment ideas with Christian values, [[Cameralism|cameralist]] plans for central control of the economy, and a militaristic approach toward diplomacy.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Ingrao |first=Charles W. |title=The Hessian Mercenary State: Ideas, Institutions, and Reform under Frederick II, 1760–1785 |date=2003}}</ref>

[[History of Hanover (region)|Hanover]] did not have to support a lavish court—its rulers were also kings of England and resided in London. [[George III]], elector (ruler) from 1760 to 1820, never once visited Hanover. The local nobility who ran the country opened the [[University of Göttingen]] in 1737; it soon became a world-class intellectual center. [[History of Baden-Württemberg|Baden]] sported perhaps the best government of the smaller states. [[Charles Frederick, Grand Duke of Baden|Karl Friedrich]] ruled for 73 years and was an enthusiast for the Enlightenment; he abolished serfdom in 1783.<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Liebel |first=Helen P. |date=1965 |title=Enlightened bureaucracy versus enlightened despotism in Baden, 1750–1792 |journal=Transactions of the American Philosophical Society |volume=55 |issue=5 |pages=1–132 |doi=10.2307/1005911 |jstor=1005911}}</ref>

The smaller states failed to form coalitions with each other, and were eventually overwhelmed by Prussia who swallowed up many of them between 1807 and 1871.{{Sfn|Holborn|1964|pp=[https://archive.org/details/historyofmoderng01holb/page/291 291]–302}}