Changes Brought
- reestablished feelings of national pride, unity through expansion of territory and growth of military power
- increased interest in the arts
- stability maintained in Prussia after his death
End of Rule/Aftereffects
- ruled Prussia from 1740 until his death
- incluenced German history
- weakened the Holy Roman Empire
- his part in the first partition of Poland he helped to create an important common interest with Russia
Silesia
- Strategically important to Prussia; "blunted capacity of Austria and Russia to meddle in Prussian affairs".
- Conquered Silesia except for the three fortresses at Glogau, Brieg and Breslau
- Claimed Silesia
- Victory for Prussia
Accomplishments and Deeds
War of Austrian Succession
- Frederick II violated the Pragmatic Sanction and invaded Silesia
- Maria Theresa deemed ineligible to succeed Habsburg thrones of Charles VI
- Commonly thought that challenge of liability = excuse by Prussia and France to challenge Habsburg power
- Austria supported by Great Britain, Dutch Republic, Kingdom of Sardinia, Electorate of Saxony
- France and Prussia allied with Electorate of Bavaria
- Spain entered the war on Continent to re-establish influence in northern Italy
- War ended with Treaty of Aix-la-Chapelle(1748)
- Maria Theresa confirmed as Archduchess of Austria and Queen of Hungary
- Prussia retained control of Silesia.
- Laid foundation for unification of German princely states
- Made bureaucratic reforms
- Introduced system of primary education
- Codified law
- Gave territorial princes places in government bureaucratory
- Wrote anti-Macchiavelli work; favored pacifistic rule
- Concluded commercial treaty with US
Polish Partition
- Frederick II engineered partition to prevent Austria, jealous of Russian successes against Ottoman Empire, from going to war
- Balance of power in Europe shifted (mainly because of Frederick's conquering of Silesia)
- Frederick II didn't want to give up Silesia, but still wanted peace
Enlightenment Reforms
- Patronage of the Arts and Enlightenment in Prussia
- Stood close to French Age of Enlightenment and admired Voltaire, with whom he corresponded frequently
- Reformed military and government
- Established religious tolerance
- Granted basic form of freedom of the press
- Left legacy of devotion to Germany
- Set example for leaders into 20th century
Frederick the Great
Food
- 9th Ruler of Prussia
- Lived 1712 – 1786
- Reigned 1740 - 1786
- One of the "enlightened monarchs"
- Nicknamed "der alte Fritz"
Prussia Under His Rule
- Gave out free potato during the famine
- Believed that eating potatoes can reduce price of bread
- Thought that potatoes can substitute and act in place of cereal
- "Potato War" took place
- Outlawed trial by ordeal
- Territory expanded
- Foremost military power in Europe
- Efficient, methodical, and conscious civil service
- Encouraged appreciation of the arts and philosophy
- Encouraged immigration
- Rechsstaat (state of law) over Obrigkeitstaat (authoritarian state)
- religious tolerance and leniency towards minority groups
Limerick
There once was a king named Frederick,
His own advances quite electric.
His hobbies rather mellow,
He enlightened his fellows,
His deeds too many for a limerick.
King Frederick the Second of Prussia
Continued to bicker with Austria.
He fought many battles
That weren't all too subtle,
But still managed to run over Russia.
Frederick II : Ruler of Prussia
By Vivian Noh, Rachel Han, and Miho Tanaka