Frederick_The_Great

Nick and Kishan

**Frederick the Great, King of Prussia**
**Introduction** media type="custom" key="3241310" media type="custom" key="3094260"
 * Timeline and Important Events **

Accomplishments of Frederick the Great
Much of Frederick II's early reign dealt with expanding Prussia's borders and subsequently, preventing its destruction. Due to the death of Emperor Charles VI, the emperor of Austria, a large political crisis arose. This presented Frederick II with a unique opportunity. France and Bavaria planned on making demands, as soon the emperor was dead. Frederick offered to provide Austria with much-needed protection, but Austria would have to cede Silesia to Prussia. Maria Theresa of Austria denied the proposal. After the rejection Frederick II ordered an attack on Silesia, beginning the War of the Austrian Succession. After long battles and the defeat of the Austrians, Prussia gained the majority of Silesia and became another major power. (" Frederick, II")
 * War of the Austrian Succession:**


 * Seven Years' War:**

After the War of the Austrian Succession, which involved many of the major powers of Europe, two main treaties were created for peace. One of the treaties was the Treaty of Westminster, which ensured peace with Great Britain. The other main treaty created The Continental Alliance of Austria, Russia, France, Saxony. Rather than await destruction by the alliance, Frederick II attacked Austria, whom he felt was the weakest of the powers. Thus, began the Seven Years' War. Frederick II showed his great leadership capabilities and used his military's superior discipline to take on his enemies one by one. Eventually, despite having the upper hand, Frederick reached bankruptcy. Luckily, Peter III ascended to the Russian throne and called off the attack on Prussia. Frederick concluded the Peace of Hubertusberg, which restored the prewar balance among the super powers of Europe. Frederick learned from the Seven Years War that an even spread of power is needed for peace. So, through the next fifteen years Frederick II kept a balance of powers between all of the major powers of Europe. (" Frederick, II")


 * Enlightened Despot:**

From an early age, he was drawn to the culture and literature of the Enlightenment, while rejecting the military life his father built in Prussia. When Frederick reached reconciliation with his father, he began to embrace military life and was prepared to use the disciplined army left to him. Thus, in the earlier part of his reign, kept this passion for the Enlightenment separated from his international politics. He once wrote:

//Of all States, from the smallest to the biggest, one can safely say that the fundamental rule of government is the principle of extending// //their territories...The Pa////ssions of rulers have no other curb but the limits of their power. Those are the fixed laws of European po////litics to which every politician submits.// (McKay 504)

After the near destruction of Prussia during the Seven Years War, Frederick II began to preserve and defend his country's new status as a great power during the latter period of his reign. He began to apply Enlightenment values and culture practically to strengthen his state and subjects, except in the sense of limiting his own power. Hence, he was considered an enlightened despot. In a letter to his French philosophe friend Voltaire, he wrote, "I must enlighten my people, cultivate their manners and morals, and make them as happy as human beings can be, or as happy as the means at my disposal permit." He granted religious(except to Jews; see below) and philosophical tolerance and promoted knowledge through improved schools. Frederick used the bureaucracy and legal system to accomplish many of his goals. Prussian laws were simplified, omitted torture of prisoners and allowed judges to be impartial and speedy. He encouraged agriculture and industry and set an example to his people by living modestly and working hard.(McKay 504)

However, his reforms only went so far. He never attempted to reform the Prussian social order. The Junkers, the Prussian nobility, still held their privileges and the serfs were never freed, since the Junkers created the backbone of Frederick's bureaucracy and military leadership. In addition, Jews continued to be a harshly oppressed group, often living in ghettos in exchange for service to the state. Still, Frederick the Great succeeded in transforming Prussia into a great Eruopean state through expansion, reforms and the application of many Enlightenment values. Like many of his Enlightened despot contemporaries, he managed to increase his own power at the same time. Frederick's accomplishments in the area of strengthening Prussia created a disciplined state and laid the groundwork for the eventual 19th century unification of Germany.(McKay 505)

**Gallery*** media type="custom" key="3105992"media type="custom" key="3227362" *Must be on a personal or teacher computer to view.
 * Social, Political and Economic Background **
 * **Social** || **Po****litical** || **Economic** ||
 * Born to Frederick William I of Prussia as royalty(McKay 504). || Absolute monarchies governed most of Europe(McKay 500). || Serfdom was still used in Eastern Europe("Frederick II of Prussia" Microsoft Encarta Online Encyclopedia). ||
 * Grew up in militaristic Prussian state(McKay 504). || Felt leaders were curbed only by the limits of their power(McKay 504). || In economics Frederick was a strict mercantilist, who enforced high tariffs(Snyder 58). ||
 * Came of age during the Enlightenment and Romantic Movement. Patronized many French philosophes, including Voltaire("Frederick II" Encyclopedia of World Biography and McKay 504). || Saw need to modernize and expand Prussia in order to create a more powerful state(Snyder 34). || Frederick continued the immigration of economically productive elements, mostly, immigrating serfs to work in a less populated areas(Snyder 60). ||
 * Father did not share interests in Enlightenment culture, music and literature. Led to conflict("Frederick II" Encyclopedia of World Biography). || Kept Enlightenment values separated from international politics("Frederick II" Encyclopedia of World Biography). || Through Frederick's acquisition of Silesia from Austria, he gained many natural resources for his country's factories(Snyder 63). ||
 * Sympathized with American Revolution("Frederick II of Prussia" Microsoft Encarta Online Encyclopedia). || Later felt Enlightenment values could be used to reform and strengthen Prussia(McKay 505). || Frederick restructured and rationalized the Prussian tax system(Snyder 66). ||

** 1. Which of the following was a war fought by Frederick the Great? a.) War of the Spanish Succession d.) War of the Austrian Succession c.) War of Jenkin’s Ear d.) Thirty Years’ War
 * Review Quiz

2. All of the following were reforms of Frederick the Great except… a.) Religious toleration for Jews b.) Better schools c.) Simplified laws d.) Reformed agriculture and industry

3. The Continental Alliance against Frederick the Great during the Seven Years’ War was led by… a.) Saxony b.) Russia c.) France d.) Austria

4. Why did Frederick the Great attack Austria when he started the Seven Years’ War? a.) He felt Austria was the weakest of the Continental Alliance. b.) He wanted to kill Maria Theresa c.) Maria Theresa would not marry him d.) Catherine the Great offered him financial aid

5. Which state did Frederick II rule over? a.) Brandenburg b.) Frankfurt c.) Prussia d.) Bavaria

6. What movement influenced Frederick the Great? a.) The Reformation b.) The Scientific Revolution c.) The Enlightenment d.) The Renaissance

7. During the reign of Frederick the Great, the most common form of government was… a.) Democratic Republic b.) Absolute Monarchy c.) Communist d.) Limited Monarchy

8. The Prussian society that Frederick the Great’s father created is best described as… a.) Militaristic b.) Religious c.) Democratic d.) Enlightened

9. The Prussian nobility, the Junkers, retained their power because… a.) They paid off the bureaucrats of Frederick’s government b.) They threatened to overthrow Frederick c.) They threatened to support Russia d.) They made up the backbone of the bureaucracy and military leadership

10. Frederick laid the groundwork for which 19th century event? a.) The Crimean War b.) The unification of Italy c.) The unification of Germany d.) The assassination of Archduke Ferdinand

Answers ** Wor **** k **** s Cited ** "Frederick II." //Encyclopedia of World Biography//, 2nd ed. 17 Vols. Gale Research, 1998. Reproduced in //Biography Resource Center//. Farmington Hills, Mich.: Gale, 2009. http://galenet.galegroup.com/servlet/BioRC “Frederick II of Prussia.” Microsoft Encarta Online Encyclopedia. 1997. Microsoft Corporation. 18 Feb. 2009 <[|http://encarta.msn.com] [|/encyclopedia_761567792/Frederick_II_(of_Prussia).html]>.
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Frederick the Great. Ed. Louis L Snyder. Great Lives Observed. Englewood Cliffs: Prentice-Hall, 1971.

“Frederick the Great Quotes.” Thinkexist.com. 23 Feb. 2009 .

McKay, John P, Bennet D Hill, and John Buckler. “The Enlightenment and Absolutism.” A History of Western Society. Ed. Andrea Shaw, et al. 6th ed. Boston: Houghton Mifflin Company, 1999. 500-16.
 * Pictures:**
 * 1**. Frederick II. Oil on Canvas. 18th Century. Wikimedia Commons. 14 Feb. 2009 .
 * 2**. Frederick the Great. Print. Wikimedia Commons. 15 Feb. 2009 .
 * 3**. Friedrich II mit Wilhelm III. Chalk lithograph. Wikimedia Commons. 15 Feb. 2009 .
 * 4**. Graff, Anton. Friedrich II. (der Große), König von Preußen, im Alter von 68 Jahren. Oil on canvas. 1781. Wikimedia Commons. 6 Feb. 2009 .
 * 5**. King Frederik of Prussia visits a potato farm. Oil on canvas. 19th century. Wikimedia Commons. 6 Feb. 2009 .
 * 6**. Pesne, Antoine. Portrait of the young Friedrich II of Prussia. Oil on canvas. 1736. Wikimedia Commons. 6 Feb. 2009 .
 * 7**. Portrait of Frederick II. Engraving. Wikimedia Commons. University of Texas at Austin. 6 Feb. 2009 .
 * 8**. Portrait of Frederick II. Oil on Canvas. 18th century. Wikimedia Commons. 6 Feb. 2009 .