My understanding of Junker is that it is a term used in the United States to
refer to the nobility of Prussia, especially those who had the large estates
in the eastern areas of West Prussia and East Prussia. These were the
landowners who controlled so much of the food supply coming from the North German
Plain. Their first son secured the land for the next generation while younger
sons commonly became the military officers that made Prussia the great military
power and later in the Empire. The Kaiser depended on their support and he
usually had it. I believe that Bismarck and Hindenburg were both of that class.
Key word Prussian Junker and you will get enough hits to make you an
authority.
Thanks,
Frederick Piellusch, PhD
descendant of serfs on the Junker land
Kreis Rosenberg, Prussia
Well, Frederick, a "Junker" (German term, pronounced Yoonker, first syllable
stressed) is not just any Prussian nobleman. The term refers to the lower
ranks of the Prussian nobility (about equal to the English 'gentry'),
especially owners of large estates, not just in East and West Prussia, but
even more notably in Pommerania. The word is derived from "Jungherr" (young
knight), the former term for a knight's son, often trained as a page for his
later occupation. Through the decades, the word was shortended to "Junker"
and changed its meaning to the sense mentioned above. In Prussia "serfs"
(Leibeigene) became free men in the course of the 18th century, beginning
with the Royal Decree of November 8th, 1773 (three years before the
Declaration of Independence!) that concerned serfs on demesne land and was
later extended to others in the same situation.
This, of course, does not mean that farm laborers were unknown of in later
times, much like there were in still are such laborers or hands in any part
of the world.
Thanks,
Rolf-Peter (PhD Cand.)