Frederick the Great

Frederick II (German: Friedrich II.; 24 January 1712 – 17 August 1786) was the monarch of Prussia from 1740 until his death in 1786. He was the last Hohenzollern monarch titled King in Prussia, declaring himself King of Prussia after annexing Royal Prussia from the Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth in 1772. His most significant accomplishments include military successes in the Silesian wars, reorganisation of the Prussian Army, the First Partition of Poland, and patronage of the arts and the Enlightenment. Prussia greatly increased its territories and became a major military power in Europe under his rule. He became known as Frederick the Great (German: Friedrich der Große) and was nicknamed "Old Fritz" (German: der Alte Fritz). In his youth, Prince Frederick was more interested in music and philosophy than war, which led to clashes with his authoritarian father, Frederick William I of Prussia. However, upon ascending to the throne, he attacked and annexed the rich Austrian province of Silesia in 1742, winning military acclaim. He became an influential military theorist, whose analyses emerged from his extensive personal battlefield experience and covered issues of strategy, tactics, mobility and logistics. Frederick was a supporter of enlightened absolutism, stating that the ruler should be the first servant of the state. He modernised the Prussian bureaucracy and civil service, and pursued religious policies that ranged from tolerance to segregation. He reformed the judicial system and made it possible for men of lower status to become judges and senior bureaucrats. Frederick encouraged immigrants of diverse backgrounds to come to Prussia. While Protestantism remained the favored faith, he allowed religious freedom and tolerated Jews and Catholics in Prussia, however his actions were not entirely without prejudice. He supported the arts and philosophers he favoured, and allowed freedom of the press and literature. Frederick was almost certainly homosexual, and his sexuality has been the subject of much study. Because he died childless, he was succeeded by his nephew, Frederick William II. He is buried at his favourite residence, Sanssouci in Potsdam. Nearly all 19th-century German historians made Frederick into a romantic model of a glorified warrior, praising his leadership, administrative efficiency, devotion to duty and success in building Prussia into a great power. Frederick remained an admired historical figure through Germany's defeat in World War I, and the Nazis glorified him as a great German leader prefiguring Adolf Hitler, who personally idolised him. His reputation became less favourable in Germany after World War II, partly due to being symbolically adopted by the Nazis as a historical hero. Historians in the 21st century tend to view Frederick as an outstanding military leader and capable monarch, whose commitment to enlightenment culture and administrative reform built the foundation that allowed the Kingdom of Prussia to contest the Austrian Habsburgs for leadership among the German states.

Infobox

Reign

31 May 1740 – 17 August 1786

Predecessor

Frederick William I

Successor

Frederick William II

Born

(1712-01-24)24 January 1712Berlin, Kingdom of Prussia

Died

17 August 1786(1786-08-17) (aged 74)Potsdam, Kingdom of Prussia

Burial

Sanssouci, Potsdam

Spouse

mw- Elisabeth Christine of Brunswick-Wolfenbüttel-Bevern (m. 1733)

Regnal name

Regnal nameFrederick II

House

Hohenzollern

Father

Frederick William I of Prussia

Mother

Sophia Dorothea of Hanover

Branch

Prussian Army

Battles / wars

mw- }List li War of the Austrian Succession First Silesian War Battle of Mollwitz Battle of Chotusitz Second Silesian War Siege of Prague (1744) Battle of Hohenfriedberg Battle of Soor Battle of Hennersdorf Seven Years' War Third Silesian War Siege of Pirna Battle of Lobositz Battle of Prague Battle of Kolín Siege of Prague Battle of Rossbach Battle of Leuthen Siege of Breslau Siege of Olomouc Battle of Zorndorf Battle of Hochkirch Battle of Kunersdorf Siege of Dresden Battle of Liegnitz Battle of Torgau Battle of Burkersdorf Siege of Schweidnitz