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Glite Dictionary
✈️ German plane maker 🎩 German nobility
Junkers

Junkers

9.9
Powerful landowning nobles in Prussia and eastern Germany in the 1800s and early 1900s
  • proper noun
  • Archaic
translation icon : junkeros
  • The Junkers played a major role in shaping Prussian military traditions and government policies.

Examples

  • During the early 20th century, the Junkers maintained large estates and significant political power.

  • Many historians argue that the influence of the Junkers delayed democratic reforms in Germany.

  • The Junkers played a significant role in Prussian politics.

  • Many Junkers were influential military leaders during the 19th century.

  • The Junkers were instrumental in the enactment of conservative policies during the rise of the German Empire.

  • Historically, the Junkers represented the aristocracy that significantly influenced Prussia's military and political landscape.

  • Many members of the Junkers held key positions in the German government and military up until World War I.

Surface Forms

Junkers main

Etymology

Junkers refers to the conservative, landowning aristocracy of Prussia and the word comes from German Junker, meaning 'young lord' or 'young noble', much like English 'junior'. That's why the name suggests a class of noble landowners who held power and large estates.