Background
Frederick II was born on 24th of January, 1712 in the house of Hohenzollern in Berlin, Germany. He was the eldest son of Frederick William I of Prussia and the daughter of George I from Great Britain, Princess Sophia-Dorothea.
Frederick II was born on 24th of January, 1712 in the house of Hohenzollern in Berlin, Germany. He was the eldest son of Frederick William I of Prussia and the daughter of George I from Great Britain, Princess Sophia-Dorothea.
While Frederick William I was more of a strict military ruler, Princess Sophia calm and free minded. Born out of their political marriage, Frederick II showed his early interest in music and languages though his father forced him to military education.
Under the training of his mother, Frederick II learned languages, literature, and history while his father pushed him to learn more of running and defending the kingdom. Continuing with the military studies, Frederick II also involved himself in studying music and literature and soon he was able to make his own compositions and write flute sonatas.
Frederick II spent the happiest year of his life when he got to study the ideas of government and international relationships while in the castle of Rheinsberg near Berlin. This study was to make a huge impact on the way he would rule the state later.
Backed by his mother and sister Wilhelmina, Frederick II continued studying music while being loathed for his unworthy interests by his father who wanted him to master in ruling and military. With constant insults and public beatings from Frederick William I , by the time Frederick II got to the age of 18, he escaped the palace with his best friend Hans Herman von Katte trying to get to great Britain where his maternal grandfather George I was the king. They were caught by the king. Frederick II was court-martialed and was forced to see his friend getting beheaded. He was then forced to be an officer in the administration to learn how the government works.
After the death of Frederick William I in 1740, with a strong army and abundant fund, Frederick II sat on the throne and from there on his rule began. Expansion of Territories
After the death of Emperor Charles IV of the Austrian house of Habsburg, his daughter, the archduchess Maria Theresa inherited the throne. In 1741, Frederick II made an agreement with Habsburg Queen Maria Theresa to allow his military to take up lower Silesia in exchange for the protection by France and Spain. Later, sensing the weak Austrian army and the bad financial condition of the state, Frederick II betrayed Queen Maria Theresa and acquired the whole of Silesia by 1745. In 1756, backed by France and Russia, Austria tried to get back at Prussia to acquire Silesia. Frederick II, along with his ally with the Great Britain started the Seven Years War wherein he gained territories, lost and then again gained them back.
The Seven Years of War got Frederick II the fame and the military power but soon it became very insecure. Though Frederick II was victorious in the battle with Austria and France in Rossbach and Leuthen, respectively, the alliance of France, Russia and Sweden with other smaller German states created the threat. With a use of most of the available resources in the army and the currency price deduction increased the difficulty for Frederick II. Though he was able to neutralize the power of French army with the alliance from Britain, the period was still strain full. After several victories, Frederick II also lost some of the war battles with Russians at heavy costs and against Austrians in 1759 and 1760 respectively. The financial struggle grew and along with it there came resistance from the subjects against the war and the consequences it was bringing to the state. Frederick II was considering suicide when the sudden death of the Queen of Russia empress Elizabeth in 1762 filled the air. The death of the bitterest enemy of Frederick II changed the entire situation. The throne was taken over by Peter III who was an admirer of Prussia and Frederick II. In the month of May, Peter III signed a peace treaty with Prussia. The hope of getting back Silesia was now a dream for Maria Theresa. Frederick II now had a strong control on the province. This made Frederick II famous as a ruler and Prussia as one of the most powerful states in Europe through there were several provinces in Prussia that were devastated by the war in parallel with the death of 180,000 army men.
The heavy loss in the war taught Frederick II being guarded of any such happenings in the future. He signed an alliance with Russia in 1764 which lasted till 1780. In July 1778, a struggle between Austria and Prussia broke out once again with the new emperor of Austria coming into power, Emperor Joseph II, the son of Maria Theresa. This war short-lived and a treaty was signed in 1779 once against narrowed down the hopes of Austria to win back Silesia through this enmity had now taken a deep root between Austria and Prussia. Frederick II was well aware of the fact and in 1785; he was successfully in getting together a number of German states in opposition to Joseph II and his efforts of acquisition.
Frederick II helped Germany get a reformed government and a strong military. It was during his rule that Germany established its first code of law. With many useful reorganization and changes during the rule of Frederick II, he came to be known as Frederick the Great and his legacy was to be remembered as a lesson to all successive rulers. With being a great military commander, the reform that was brought in military and army was imitated by other states. He was able to establish the real meaning of enlightened government which had started to take its form in all of the Europe.
The most important foreign policy that was established under the rule of Frederick II was the partition of Poland which linked the East Prussia with Brandenburg and Pomerania. Frederick II kept on making an effort to expand his territories. One of these efforts is seen in his indirect try to interest Catherine II of Russia in the partition.
As Frederick II got older, he ensured that the provinces followed only his rules and policies. He developed the domestic policies that were initially created by his father. But later he became hostile to the new developments by his subjects and asked them only to follow the instructions and not do anything on their own. The administration of Prussia was the most hardworking but all its achievements were dependent on the king and there were no creative advances accepted from the masses. The expansion that happened through the acquisition of Silesia was most helpful in keeping the stability during the Seven Years of War. With Frederick II’s attitude towards government reforms not changing and the follow of traditions, made Prussia’s administration less flexible. Though the efforts made by Frederick II for education and culture during his reign was sincere, it was the second most priority than to create an army that would defend and protect the state from external threats and attacks.
Frederick II was not only a great ruler but also a creative writer of politics and history which can be seen in his work Histoire de mon temps which he brought out in the year 1746. This literature is the source of the learning from his times and a teacher to many after him. He wrote poetry and compositions but with his limited interest in French culture, he only got exposure in this area through French intellectuals who were invited to Prussia by Frederick II.
The work and the rule of Frederick II have greatly influenced German history. He helped in establishing General Education Regulations in 1763 wherein there was an attempt to make primary education accessible to all was a good step though the lack of resources limited its distribution.
Although Frederick William I was raised a Calvinist, he feared he was not of the elect.
The life in politics began for Frederick in 1733 when he was married to Elizabeth of Brunswick-Bevern. This marriage was for the benefit of both governments. Frederick employed politics wherever he could to make his region Prussia the most powerful military power. He allied with other kings and governments to make sure that he could reach his goal. He was responsible for making Prussia one of the best politically developed states.
Quotations:
‘Little minds try to defend everything at once, but sensible people look at the main point only; they parry the worst blows and stand a little hurt if thereby they avoid a greater one. If you try to hold everything, you hold nothing.’
‘Every man has a wild beast within him.’
‘All religions must be tolerated ... every man must go to heaven in his own way. [Die Religionen müssen alle toleriert werden ... denn hier muss ein jeder nach seiner Fasson selig werden.]’
Frederick was a prosperous ruler of Prussia who ruled his kingdom from 1740 to 1786 till his death. He had a creative interest in music and literature which came from his mother while his reign signifies the influence he got from his father who was a strict ruler. Frederick was fond of poetry and during his reign, he invited many intellectuals and poets from Germany to his kingdom.
Frederick as a king also tried to transform his kingdom through enlightenment. He created new policies but rather than delegating the responsibilities he ensured that he took guidance from other ministers but had the overall control in his hands to bring any changes.
At the age of 21, in 1733, Frederick II was married to Elizabeth Christine of Brunswick-Bevern against his own wish. But the marriage didn’t last happily and soon they separated after the death of Frederick William I in 1740 with Frederick II showing no interest in her or their marriage. Some believe that Frederick II was a homosexual with there being no other women engagement in the rest of his life. Though through the writings has also expressed that he had higher priorities than women.
Frederick II has been given the title of ‘Royal Knight Companion of the Most Noble Order of the Garter’ which is the third most prestigious honor in England and UK.
Master and Sovereign of the Order of the Black Eagle 1740–1786, the highest order of chivalry in the kingdom of Prussia was given to Frederick II for his strong and reformative work during his rule in Prussia.
