Frederick the Great 1712-1786

Background Frederick was born in Berlin Was a member of the Hohenzollern dynasty Was a rebellious teen and tried to escape his father’s tyrannical rule Had to watch his friend get beheaded

House of Hohenzollern

Frederick assumed the throne in 1740 and became king of Prussia From 1740-1748, Frederick fought the war of Austrian Sucession to gain Silesia from Austria Prussia won and gained Silesia

Maria Theresa, Habsburg Empress (Austria)

Seven Years War By 1756, an alliance of Austria, Russia, Sweden and France was forming against Prussia The Seven Years War began as Prussia invaded Saxony Prussia was getting invaded frequently Some consider this the 1st world war

Frederick would lead his men into battle

Prussia was close to losing but was saved when Empress Elizabeth of Russia died in 1762 This allowed the anti-Prussian coalition to break up Prussia did not gain territory, but kept Silesia

Later Achievements Frederick was considered an enlightened despot This is an absolute monarch in which a ruler uses power to make positive social and political changes He was a patron of Bach and Voltaire

Frederick also split up Poland with other powers

Abolished torture Built canals Grew new crops (potato and turnip) Religious toleration

Frederick’s summer palace in Sans Souci (just outside Berlin)