1. Origin and scope
The Prussian ALR of 1794 was the result of efforts commencing also in other German territories around 1750 to modernize the legal system according to the ideas of enlightened absolutism (Allgemeines Bürgerliches Gesetzbuch = ABGB; Codex Maximilianeus Bavaricus Civilis). The ALR is one of the most prominent codifications of the Early Modern Period. A start was made under Frederick William I and was succeeded by works especially during the reign of …