Cabinet of Three Counts
The three- count Cabinet, also known as The Three woe because of the initials of their names, called a Günstlingskreis to King Frederick I. consisting of Chamberlain August David Graf zu Sayn -Wittgenstein, Field Marshal von Wartensleben and the upstart Johann Kasimir Kolbe von Wartenberg, that without being a real institution, the Prussian policy 1702-1710 authoritative influenced and shaped.
The threefold woe
After the fall of President Eberhard top of Danckelman end of 1697, the influence of Kolbe, who was standing in the Brandenburg state service in 1688 rose. At the coronation of Frederick I in matters of state and he confirmed Friedrich closest. He promoted according to the tendency of forces of Frederick III. , To become king, and thus won the biggest influence on affairs of state. After the coronation he received the title of Imperial Count and in 1702 appointed Prime Minister.
Friedrich trusted him in all matters, and was glad to be rid of the strict regime of Danckelman. After Wartenberg at the court ausschaltete its competitors by little, he occupied in the aftermath important farmsteads with his devoted henchmen. The post of the Privy Council he had with his devoted the Field Marshal von Wartensleben occupy, the governor of Berlin was beyond. Count of Wittgenstein, a selfish man received the financial and business chamber.
The work Wartenbergs was favored by accumulation of offices, which allowed him to turn and exercise at will. He was next Prime Minister and Chief of the General Economics Directorate beyond even Marshal of the Kingdom of Prussia, the protector of the Royal Academies, Chancellor of the Order of the Black Eagle, equerry, superintendent of the royal castles, the chief captain of all box offices and Postmaster General, all in one.
Especially Wartenberg, also in the role of Lord Chamberlain, and Wittgenstein wirtschafteten in their interaction time mainly for his own pocket, which resulted in Prussia was completely looted. It was part of the policy Wartenbergs to constantly think of new, redundant offices. He also constantly invented new taxes for the pageantry needs Friedrichs comply, the country and its people heavily loaded. In addition to the traditional contribution, a property tax, the excise tax was a tax on consumption, constantly driven up. Alone in Berlin was an improvement of 1690-1710 from 60,000 to 180,000 dollars. There were also special taxes, as a poll tax. For the consumption of tea, coffee or cocoa, a permit had to be obtained, which cost two dollars per year. It was followed by the introduction of a tax wig, hat, boots, hosiery and carriage control and young girls had until marriage 2 pennies to pay her virginity a month Virgin tax. Finally, the salt consumption was also taxed, which is particularly hit the poor.
Only when Prussia, plagued since 1709 by plague and famine, was close to financial collapse, the King Frederick I. after the publication of the report of the Secret Court Chamber and the domain commission on the situation of Prussia, drop the Three Count cabinet.
First, he had him arrested Wittgenstein. His machinations with insurance fraud in the fire and fire protection as well as the unpopular tax on salt, which was attributed to him were, overthrow him. The 1711 strenuous process against Wittgenstein was not opened at the behest of Frederick. Wartensleben remained, but his power was robbed. The three- count Cabinet left the Prussian state a mountain of debt still amounted to 25 million dollars on the death of the king in 1713.