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•Born in Berlin into the House of Hohenzollern (which is a noble family and royal dynasty of electors) on January 24, 1712.
•Son of Frederick William I of Prussia and Princess Sophia-Dorothea of Hanover.
•Frederick’s father was authoritarian (which is a form of social organization characterized by absolute obedience to authority) and quick-tempered.
•Frederick’s mother was well-educated and loved the richness of life.
•Frederick’s mother educated him very well with poetry, French culture, and the Greek and Roman classics. However, his father disapproved of such things and forced him into the military at a young age. Frederick’s father also abused him and was strict.
•Frederick’s father arranged for him a marriage to Elizabeth Christine of Brunswick-Bevern in 1733. But Frederick quickly separated from her and showed no interest in women.
• Frederick established universal religious toleration
and granted freedom of the press in Prussia.
• Frederick encouraged religious freedom, and even
built a Roman Catholic cathedral in Berlin.
• Frederick’s religious policies were greatly influenced
by The Enlightenment which was an intellectual
movement in the Eighteenth Century.
• Some examples showing his religious toleration was
keeping Jesuits as teachers in Prussia because he
recognized their educational skills were valuable for
the nation and allowing Jewish merchants and bankers,
Huguenot citizens, and Jesuit teachers to openly use
their skills in Prussia.
• “Catholics, Lutherans, Reformed, Jews and other
Christian sects live in this state, and live together in
peace.”- From Frederick II, Political Testament.
• Frederick established universal religious toleration and granted freedom of the press in Prussia.
• Frederick encouraged religious freedom, and even built a Roman Catholic cathedral in Berlin.
• Frederick’s religious policies were greatly influenced by The Enlightenment which was an intellectual movement in the Eighteenth Century.
• Some examples showing his religious toleration was keeping Jesuits as teachers in Prussia because he recognized their educational skills were valuable for the nation and allowing Jewish merchants and bankers, Huguenot citizens, and Jesuit teachers to openly use their skills in Prussia.
• “Catholics, Lutherans, Reformed, Jews and other Christian sects live in this state, and live together in peace.”- From Frederick II, Political Testament.
• Frederick’s form of government is called enlightened despotism or benevolent despotism which was where the country was ruled by an absolute monarch, but one who tried to rule his people justly, rather than according to his own selfish ways.
• Frederick described his government as follows: "My people and I have come to an agreement which satisfies us both. They are to say what they please, and I am to do what I please."
• “A well conducted government must have an underlying concept so well integrated that it could be likened to a system of philosophy. All actions taken must be well reasoned, and all financial, political and military matters must flow towards one goal, which is the strengthening of the state and the furthering of its power.”- From Frederick II, Political Testament.
•Bureaucratic reforms made civil service more efficient
•Established Brandenburg-prussia
•Frederick conquered Silesian in the first Silesian war
•Neighboring countries began turning against Frederick so he invaded Saxony which began the seven years war.
•Coalition against him- Austria, france, Russia, Saxony, Sweden
•Allies- great Britain, hanover
•Frederick’s reign increased Prussia’s economic power.
•After successfully invading Silesia during the War of the Austrian Succession, Fredrick gained several industries with raw materials. He protected these industries by implementing high tariffs, and minimizing restrictions on internal trade. These industries allowed Prussia to become economically strong and a politically reformed state.
•Issued the Mint Edict of May 1763, which gave more value to Prussia currency (Thaler).
• By winning wars and expanding territories, Frederick
established Prussia as a strong military power.
• Frederick wanted Prussia to increase its military
influence and economic power and become the leading
German-speaking state.
• Frederick mostly fought wars against Austria and the
Habsburg dynasty.
• The War of the Austrian Succession was a dispute
between Prussia and Austria. When Austria’s King died,
Frederick took advantage and invaded Silesia. France, Spain,
and Bavaria allied with Prussia to take over the capital of
the Hapsburg Empire.
• Frederick was able to double the population of Prussia to
six million people, through lands taken during the War of
the Austrian Succession.
•condemned serfdom
•viewed nobles as allies against foreign invasion
•encouraged religious freedom
•expanded territories
•established trials by impartial judges
•laid foundation for unification of princely German states- led to Germany becoming a major world power
•strong military led to sense of superiority which was linked to Germany’s involvement in two world wars
•Codified law
•Introduced primary education
•Successful absolute monarch
•Abolished torture to prisoners
Map of Prussia during Frederick's reign.
• Had been called greatest Prussian in history
• Diligence made his bureaucracy known for honesty
• He was a social conservative
War of Austrian
Succession
•Brown, Lorri. "Frederick the Great." Suite101.com. N.p., 26 Nov. 2007. Web. 22 Oct. 2012. <http://suite101.com/article/frederick-the-great-a36270>.
•Samir. "Brief Notes on Absolute Monarchy in Prussia." Brief Notes on Absolute Monarchy in Prussia. N.p., n.d. Web. 22 Oct. 2012. <http://www.preservearticles.com/2011091413364/brief-notes-on-absolute-monarchy-in-prussia.html>.
•"Frederick II of Prussia." - New World Encyclopedia. N.p., n.d. Web. 22 Oct. 2012. <http://www.newworldencyclopedia.org/entry/Frederick_II_of_Prussia>.
•"Frederick II Biography." Bio.com. A&E Networks Television, 2012. Web. 24 Oct. 2012. <http://www.biography.com/people/frederick-ii-9301742>.
•Brown, Lorri. "Frederick the Great." Suite101.com. W European History, 26 Nov. 2007. Web. 24 Oct. 2012. <http://suite101.com/article/frederick-the-great-a36270>.
•Wagner, David Paul. "Frederick the Great - Great 18th Century Prussian Statesman, Military Leader and Man of Culture." Ezine Articles. SparkNET, 22 Apr. 2010. Web. 24 Oct. 2012. <http://ezinearticles.com/?Frederick-the-Great---Great-18th-Century-Prussian-Statesman,-Military-Leader-and-Man-of-Culture&id>.
•William, Frederick. "Frederick the Great's Political Testament 1752." Then Again. Primary Sources, n.d. Web. 24 Oct. 2012. <http://www.thenagain.info/thenagain/Sources/SourcesIndex.htm>.
Frederick examining the potato harvest.
Frederick The
Great
First Catholic church in Prussia after the Protestant Reformation built by Frederick the Great.
The Thaler (their currency)
House of Hohenzollern-
house that Frederick The Great was born into.
Frederick's Palace
Frederick's wife that he quickly separated from.
(Sanssouci)