At a young age, he was coaxed into marrying Elisabeth Christine von Braunschweig-Bevern in 1733.
His father gave him the Schloss Rheinsburg north of Berlin, and here, for the first time, Friedrich
assembled a small number of musicians, actors and other artists and spent his time here in leisurely
pursuit of the fine arts. He and Elizabeth may have had a barren and by all reports boring marriage,
but this time was regarded by Friedrich as one of the happiest in his life. Here, refined Friedrich
wrote poetry in French, composed music and played the flute. He also revived the study of science
and encouraged education. He wanted to be a philosopher-king and described himself as "the first
servant of the state." He wanted to emulate the type of leaders of mankind Plato envisioned, and he
despised despotism. He had come to power at a challenging time and he had to deal with the
"petticoat league" formed by Maria Theresa of Austria-Hungary, Elizabeth of Russia and Madame
Pompadour of France. He could not rely on military conflict alone, but instead had to form a strong
yet controlled approach using his charm and wit to survive, succeed and prosper. To reach his goals,
he also needed to be a shrewd military tactician. Friedrich's coronation, below
His father gave him the Schloss Rheinsburg north of Berlin, and here, for the first time, Friedrich
assembled a small number of musicians, actors and other artists and spent his time here in leisurely
pursuit of the fine arts. He and Elizabeth may have had a barren and by all reports boring marriage,
but this time was regarded by Friedrich as one of the happiest in his life. Here, refined Friedrich
wrote poetry in French, composed music and played the flute. He also revived the study of science
and encouraged education. He wanted to be a philosopher-king and described himself as "the first
servant of the state." He wanted to emulate the type of leaders of mankind Plato envisioned, and he
despised despotism. He had come to power at a challenging time and he had to deal with the
"petticoat league" formed by Maria Theresa of Austria-Hungary, Elizabeth of Russia and Madame
Pompadour of France. He could not rely on military conflict alone, but instead had to form a strong
yet controlled approach using his charm and wit to survive, succeed and prosper. To reach his goals,
he also needed to be a shrewd military tactician. Friedrich's coronation, below
Once his military struggles were over, Friedrich, by then known reverently as "Der Alte Fritz," settled
down to 23 years of uninterrupted rebuilding, land development, community improvement and civil
and legal reform to benefit his Kingdom and all of the people who inhabited it.
down to 23 years of uninterrupted rebuilding, land development, community improvement and civil
and legal reform to benefit his Kingdom and all of the people who inhabited it.
In the struggles of the mid 18th century, he weakened the already tenuous Holy Roman Empire. The
Austro-Prussian rivalry lasted for over a century until the final Prussian victory over Austria in 1866.
Friedrich was later vilified by those who saw him as having prevented the emergence of a united
Greater Germany sooner, including all of the major German speaking areas of Europe, but he had no
interest in what would later be called German nationalism. Friedrich's main responsibility was his own
Prussia, and he took it from a provincial backwater to a great European power and center of culture.
People were probably better off under his reign than at any other time past or present.
Austro-Prussian rivalry lasted for over a century until the final Prussian victory over Austria in 1866.
Friedrich was later vilified by those who saw him as having prevented the emergence of a united
Greater Germany sooner, including all of the major German speaking areas of Europe, but he had no
interest in what would later be called German nationalism. Friedrich's main responsibility was his own
Prussia, and he took it from a provincial backwater to a great European power and center of culture.
People were probably better off under his reign than at any other time past or present.
Elizabeth of Russia realized that Prussia was the biggest obstacle to Russia’s domination of eastern
Europe and she hatched a plan with Austria to destroy Prussia. In 1757, Austria and Russia were
joined by France after Friedrich had launched a preemptive invasion of Saxony in August 1756.
Sweden and most of the other German states soon followed suit. Prussia had only the support of
England, Hanover, Hesse-Cassel and Brunswick. All the same, on August 29, 1756, Friedrich the
Great led 70,000 Prussian soldiers from his small Prussian monarchy of 3 million against France,
Austria-Hungary, Russia, Sweden and Saxony with their combined force of 43 million people and
marched into Saxony, launching the Seven Years War.
Europe and she hatched a plan with Austria to destroy Prussia. In 1757, Austria and Russia were
joined by France after Friedrich had launched a preemptive invasion of Saxony in August 1756.
Sweden and most of the other German states soon followed suit. Prussia had only the support of
England, Hanover, Hesse-Cassel and Brunswick. All the same, on August 29, 1756, Friedrich the
Great led 70,000 Prussian soldiers from his small Prussian monarchy of 3 million against France,
Austria-Hungary, Russia, Sweden and Saxony with their combined force of 43 million people and
marched into Saxony, launching the Seven Years War.
As a child, he was given his own regiment, the
'Crown Prince Cadets', made up of 131 boys
whom he could command and frolic with as he
liked. At fourteen, Friedrich was made a major
of the giant Potsdam Grenadiers, and on the
parade ground he commanded the giants. In
the picture at the left, young Friedrich and his
brother make an appearance at his father's
nightly tobacco party. He and his father were
said to have had a strained relationship, but
Friedrich spoke of him quite proudly in letters.
'Crown Prince Cadets', made up of 131 boys
whom he could command and frolic with as he
liked. At fourteen, Friedrich was made a major
of the giant Potsdam Grenadiers, and on the
parade ground he commanded the giants. In
the picture at the left, young Friedrich and his
brother make an appearance at his father's
nightly tobacco party. He and his father were
said to have had a strained relationship, but
Friedrich spoke of him quite proudly in letters.
When Friedrich became King at age 28, his father
bequeathed to him a strong economy with a cash
surplus and Europe's best-trained army, yet Prussia
was underdeveloped in industry and trade. There was
no navy, no raw materials and no regions suitable for
mining, but there was loyalty. Upon reviewing his
troops for the first time as a King, Friedrich said:
"Meine Herren, troops must not only be pleasant to
look at, they must be useful. It is the duty of every
soldier to be unafraid and brave. Meine Herren (to the
generals), I know all your names, and I know of the
complaints against you for greed and cruelty. See to it
that in time I will be able to forget them. Let me advise
you as your friend and warn you as your King." With
his soldiers' love and respect, Friedrich led the Prussian
forces during the war Austrian Succession, the Seven
Years War and the War of Bavarian Succession, not
only as king, but also as a brilliant field commander.
bequeathed to him a strong economy with a cash
surplus and Europe's best-trained army, yet Prussia
was underdeveloped in industry and trade. There was
no navy, no raw materials and no regions suitable for
mining, but there was loyalty. Upon reviewing his
troops for the first time as a King, Friedrich said:
"Meine Herren, troops must not only be pleasant to
look at, they must be useful. It is the duty of every
soldier to be unafraid and brave. Meine Herren (to the
generals), I know all your names, and I know of the
complaints against you for greed and cruelty. See to it
that in time I will be able to forget them. Let me advise
you as your friend and warn you as your King." With
his soldiers' love and respect, Friedrich led the Prussian
forces during the war Austrian Succession, the Seven
Years War and the War of Bavarian Succession, not
only as king, but also as a brilliant field commander.
He visited every corner of his kingdom, and struggled to convince farmers to start planting potatoes
and turnips to avoid famines. In the beginning of 1747, while the building of the Finow canal was
under way to connect Berlin's two rivers, Havel and Spree, with the river Oder, the construction of
the port of Swinemünde was begun, all to enhance trade and bring prosperity into the new regions.
He had canals dug for irrigation and encouraged people to settle in the sparsely populated areas once
devastated by plague and war around the Oder. In addition to receiving an exemption from taxes and
military service for several years, they received free wood to build houses, animals and seeds for
their land. By 1764, 21,000 destroyed houses had been rebuilt and by 1769, 175 new villages were
erected in Silesia, which had room for 75,000 people. The results of his labor were striking. He had
taken it from desolate wasteland to prosperity. Silesia went from having ten coal mines in 1740 to
fifty within four decades, and he gave military exemptions to miners. He inspects potato fields, below
and turnips to avoid famines. In the beginning of 1747, while the building of the Finow canal was
under way to connect Berlin's two rivers, Havel and Spree, with the river Oder, the construction of
the port of Swinemünde was begun, all to enhance trade and bring prosperity into the new regions.
He had canals dug for irrigation and encouraged people to settle in the sparsely populated areas once
devastated by plague and war around the Oder. In addition to receiving an exemption from taxes and
military service for several years, they received free wood to build houses, animals and seeds for
their land. By 1764, 21,000 destroyed houses had been rebuilt and by 1769, 175 new villages were
erected in Silesia, which had room for 75,000 people. The results of his labor were striking. He had
taken it from desolate wasteland to prosperity. Silesia went from having ten coal mines in 1740 to
fifty within four decades, and he gave military exemptions to miners. He inspects potato fields, below
Freidrich forbade the import any goods which could be manufactured domestically and he instituted
protective tariffs. Berlin became the largest textile city in Germany by the end of his reign and was
culturally enhanced with an opera house, several theaters, St. Hedwig Cathedral and the Prince
Heinrich Palais as well as an enlarged "Unter den Linden" avenue and Tiergarten public park.
protective tariffs. Berlin became the largest textile city in Germany by the end of his reign and was
culturally enhanced with an opera house, several theaters, St. Hedwig Cathedral and the Prince
Heinrich Palais as well as an enlarged "Unter den Linden" avenue and Tiergarten public park.
Since 1572, a lawless, disorderly clique called the "Republic of Nobles" had existed in Poland, which
was at the time comprised of 40% non-Poles, including Germans, Ukrainians, White Russians and
Letts, and they had declared that the King had to be elected. When the throne of Poland became
vacant in 1764, Russian Empress Catherine II decided to have her friend Stanislas Poniatowski
crowned King of Poland. When the Polish Nobles opposed this move, Catherine sent Russian troops
into Poland. Turkey declared war on Russia at the same time. Friedrich was concerned about the
explosiveness of the situation as he had a treaty with Russia and he wanted to maintain a peaceful
coexistence. Queen Maria Theresa's son Emperor Joseph II, meanwhile, met with Friedrich. Eager
to avoid a huge conflagration and to maintain peace on their borders, Friedrich felt that all three
nations, Russia, Austria and Prussia should probably divide a weak and vulnerable Poland.
was at the time comprised of 40% non-Poles, including Germans, Ukrainians, White Russians and
Letts, and they had declared that the King had to be elected. When the throne of Poland became
vacant in 1764, Russian Empress Catherine II decided to have her friend Stanislas Poniatowski
crowned King of Poland. When the Polish Nobles opposed this move, Catherine sent Russian troops
into Poland. Turkey declared war on Russia at the same time. Friedrich was concerned about the
explosiveness of the situation as he had a treaty with Russia and he wanted to maintain a peaceful
coexistence. Queen Maria Theresa's son Emperor Joseph II, meanwhile, met with Friedrich. Eager
to avoid a huge conflagration and to maintain peace on their borders, Friedrich felt that all three
nations, Russia, Austria and Prussia should probably divide a weak and vulnerable Poland.
He did not believe in the Divine Right of Kings and often wore old military uniforms; he once said
that the crown was "a hat that let the rain in". Friedrich disassociated Prussia from what he regarded
as the corrupt judicial systems of the Greater German Reich. He reorganized a system of indirect
taxes which provided the state with greater revenue and completely revised the civil service code.
Prussia became the first country in continental Europe to abolish torture, give people total equality
and fairness under the law and enjoy complete religious tolerance. At a time when much of Europe
still remembered the Ottoman invasions, he said, "All religions are equal and good and as long as
those practicing are an honest people and wish to populate our land, may they be Turks or Pagans,
we will build them mosques and churches." He allowed freedom of speech and print (when a foreign
dignitary once commented on a political cartoon which ridiculed Friedrich's liking for coffee and
asked why the King allowed such nonsense, Friedrich quipped, “They can say whatever they want,
as long as I can do whatever I want”). He gave Prussia the reputation of having the finest legal and
administration system in Europe.
that the crown was "a hat that let the rain in". Friedrich disassociated Prussia from what he regarded
as the corrupt judicial systems of the Greater German Reich. He reorganized a system of indirect
taxes which provided the state with greater revenue and completely revised the civil service code.
Prussia became the first country in continental Europe to abolish torture, give people total equality
and fairness under the law and enjoy complete religious tolerance. At a time when much of Europe
still remembered the Ottoman invasions, he said, "All religions are equal and good and as long as
those practicing are an honest people and wish to populate our land, may they be Turks or Pagans,
we will build them mosques and churches." He allowed freedom of speech and print (when a foreign
dignitary once commented on a political cartoon which ridiculed Friedrich's liking for coffee and
asked why the King allowed such nonsense, Friedrich quipped, “They can say whatever they want,
as long as I can do whatever I want”). He gave Prussia the reputation of having the finest legal and
administration system in Europe.
| Poland |
Although young, cultured Friedrich established a court orchestra and provided Berlin with an opera
house, he also jumped to attention when Emperor Karl VI of Austria died on October 20, 1740.
Despite the Pragmatic sanction, an agreement that all of the Electors in the Empire would support the
succession of Carl VI's daughter Maria Theresa to the throne of Austria should he have no male heir,
Elector Carl Albert of Bavaria, King Philip V of Spain and Augustus III of Saxony all contested
Maria Theresa’s succession. Friedrich II offered to adhere to the Pragmatic Sanction and support
Maria Theresa in return for Prussia occupying the rich Habsburg province of Silesia. Maria Theresa
refused. So, taking advantage of the turmoil caused by the disputed succession, in December of
1740, Friedrich the Great ordered his army to invade Silesia, astonishing Europe.
house, he also jumped to attention when Emperor Karl VI of Austria died on October 20, 1740.
Despite the Pragmatic sanction, an agreement that all of the Electors in the Empire would support the
succession of Carl VI's daughter Maria Theresa to the throne of Austria should he have no male heir,
Elector Carl Albert of Bavaria, King Philip V of Spain and Augustus III of Saxony all contested
Maria Theresa’s succession. Friedrich II offered to adhere to the Pragmatic Sanction and support
Maria Theresa in return for Prussia occupying the rich Habsburg province of Silesia. Maria Theresa
refused. So, taking advantage of the turmoil caused by the disputed succession, in December of
1740, Friedrich the Great ordered his army to invade Silesia, astonishing Europe.
Left: The cathedral of St. Hedwig in the background of the
picture was built by Friedrich the Great. His Polish friend
Ignacy Krasicki (a poet as well as Bishop of Warmia and
later Archbishop of Gniezno) officiated at the cathedral's
opening in 1773. The church was named after the patron
saint of Silesia and Brandenburg, St. Hedwig of Andechs,
and commemorated the arrival of Catholic Silesians who
immigrated to Protestant Brandenburg and Berlin. Friedrich
actually had several Polish friends, as his father once did.
picture was built by Friedrich the Great. His Polish friend
Ignacy Krasicki (a poet as well as Bishop of Warmia and
later Archbishop of Gniezno) officiated at the cathedral's
opening in 1773. The church was named after the patron
saint of Silesia and Brandenburg, St. Hedwig of Andechs,
and commemorated the arrival of Catholic Silesians who
immigrated to Protestant Brandenburg and Berlin. Friedrich
actually had several Polish friends, as his father once did.
He had especially warm feelings for Krasicki and looked to him for advise and council. Krasicki
wrote the 'Monachomachia' to amuse the king of Prussia. Their friendship at times created a difficult
political situation for both the King and the poet-bishop. Shortly after Krasicki officiated at the
opening of St. Hedwig's Cathedral, he received a position with the Berlin Academy of the Arts, and
his residences became centers of culture and art. Krasicki was mutually honored by the King of
Poland with the Order of the White Eagle and by the King of Prussia with the Order of the Red
Eagle. He died in Berlin and was eulogized in St. Hedwig's Cathedral.
wrote the 'Monachomachia' to amuse the king of Prussia. Their friendship at times created a difficult
political situation for both the King and the poet-bishop. Shortly after Krasicki officiated at the
opening of St. Hedwig's Cathedral, he received a position with the Berlin Academy of the Arts, and
his residences became centers of culture and art. Krasicki was mutually honored by the King of
Poland with the Order of the White Eagle and by the King of Prussia with the Order of the Red
Eagle. He died in Berlin and was eulogized in St. Hedwig's Cathedral.
Friedrich took his responsibilities seriously in regard to the Polish people. He not only spoke Polish
himself, he also advised his successors to learn Polish, a policy followed by his successors. After he
introduced the Prussian school system, which was regarded as the most modern in the world at the
time, into the newly acquired lands, he had 750 schools built there between 1772 and 1775. He
insisted that both Protestant and Roman Catholic teachers be hired to teach in West Prussia, and that
preferably both they and school administrators be able to speak both German and Polish.
himself, he also advised his successors to learn Polish, a policy followed by his successors. After he
introduced the Prussian school system, which was regarded as the most modern in the world at the
time, into the newly acquired lands, he had 750 schools built there between 1772 and 1775. He
insisted that both Protestant and Roman Catholic teachers be hired to teach in West Prussia, and that
preferably both they and school administrators be able to speak both German and Polish.
During the course of the war, a string of victories at Leuthen, Rossbach, and Zorndorf blocked the
Allied advance into Brandenburg, but the Russians captured East Prussia. Meanwhile, England was
being trounced by the French. However, luckily for Friedrich, Elizabeth of Russia died in 1762 and
Peter III, an admirer of Friedrich, took her place and immediately ceased hostilities with Prussia and
restored the territories that the Russians had captured. The Swedes backed off as well, and Friedrich
could now concentrate his efforts on Austria. He finally drove them out of Silesia.
Allied advance into Brandenburg, but the Russians captured East Prussia. Meanwhile, England was
being trounced by the French. However, luckily for Friedrich, Elizabeth of Russia died in 1762 and
Peter III, an admirer of Friedrich, took her place and immediately ceased hostilities with Prussia and
restored the territories that the Russians had captured. The Swedes backed off as well, and Friedrich
could now concentrate his efforts on Austria. He finally drove them out of Silesia.
When Friedrich took the throne, Prussia had 2,400,000 people, 600,000 of them exiles and or their
descendants. In his reign, he introduced another 300,000 more. By 1786, one third of Prussia's
population was of foreign (non Prussian) birth or foreign descent.
descendants. In his reign, he introduced another 300,000 more. By 1786, one third of Prussia's
population was of foreign (non Prussian) birth or foreign descent.
He was later admired by Napoleon and others as the greatest tactical genius in history. Friedrich felt
that success for the Prussian military depended upon strict discipline, impressive and inspiring
uniforms, and even good music. He increased his soldiers' pay, provided medical care and better,
improved housing, but would order strict reprisals for looting and plundering in foreign lands by his
soldiers. He avoided large, vague battles of destruction and concentrated on short, decisive
engagements which left the opponent awe struck and willing to surrender quickly. He expressed
disgust at the injury of non-combatants.
that success for the Prussian military depended upon strict discipline, impressive and inspiring
uniforms, and even good music. He increased his soldiers' pay, provided medical care and better,
improved housing, but would order strict reprisals for looting and plundering in foreign lands by his
soldiers. He avoided large, vague battles of destruction and concentrated on short, decisive
engagements which left the opponent awe struck and willing to surrender quickly. He expressed
disgust at the injury of non-combatants.
| Friedrich der Große |
| One of eight surviving children of Friedrich Wilhelm 1 and Sophea Dorothea von Hannover, Friedrich was born during a time of prosperity in the last year of his grandfather’s reign, becoming Crown Prince at the age of one. He was brought up by French Huguenot governesses and tutors, learning French and German at the same time. In addition, he spoke English, Spanish, Portuguese, and Italian, with an understanding of Latin, ancient and modern Greek, and Hebrew. Later in his life, he learned Basque, Slavic, and Chinese. Since childhood, he also had a passion for French literature, art and enjoyed philosophy and music. Friedrich was a gifted musician and played the cross-flute, composing one hundred sonatas for the flute as well as four symphonies, and he was a brilliant soldier and strategist who was respected world-wide for generations. |
| Friedrich II, the Great 1712-1786. King of Prussia from 1740 to 1786 |
Some say that Friedrich was often beaten and berated, and he soon rebelled, plotting a runaway to
England with a group of his friends and fellow junior army officers at age 18. They were found out,
and while narrowly avoiding execution himself, Friedrich was said to have been forced to watch his
best friend's beheading for the crime of treason.
England with a group of his friends and fellow junior army officers at age 18. They were found out,
and while narrowly avoiding execution himself, Friedrich was said to have been forced to watch his
best friend's beheading for the crime of treason.
Friedrich wrote in his memoirs "My position was of a delicate nature.
Through my alliance with Russia I was obliged to furnish troops in case
of a war with Austria. I either fulfilled my obligations, or I remained a
neutral bystander, which was to me the most dangerous position to
take. An Alliance between Russia and Austria could have led to total
isolation of Prussia, which would have been a mistake I was not willing
to make." He further stated: "The hostilities between Turkey and Russia
changed the whole political system in Europe. I would have been very
clumsy or very stupid not to take advantage of the situation for my
state. I was able to compensate Prussia for the terrible losses of the
war, and to unite Polish Prussia with my old provinces."
Through my alliance with Russia I was obliged to furnish troops in case
of a war with Austria. I either fulfilled my obligations, or I remained a
neutral bystander, which was to me the most dangerous position to
take. An Alliance between Russia and Austria could have led to total
isolation of Prussia, which would have been a mistake I was not willing
to make." He further stated: "The hostilities between Turkey and Russia
changed the whole political system in Europe. I would have been very
clumsy or very stupid not to take advantage of the situation for my
state. I was able to compensate Prussia for the terrible losses of the
war, and to unite Polish Prussia with my old provinces."
On August 5, 1772 the three powers signed an agreement which allotted certain regions of Poland to
the three nations. Poland at the time was very large, reaching from Posen to Kiev and from Riga to
Czernowitz. In all, it lost about five million people, of which the largest share went to Austria and the
smallest to Prussia. Friedrich received West Prussia, the old realm of the Teutonic Knights, without
the cities of Danzig and Thorun which were to remain as free cities.
the three nations. Poland at the time was very large, reaching from Posen to Kiev and from Riga to
Czernowitz. In all, it lost about five million people, of which the largest share went to Austria and the
smallest to Prussia. Friedrich received West Prussia, the old realm of the Teutonic Knights, without
the cities of Danzig and Thorun which were to remain as free cities.
This territory linked central Prussia with Brandenburg. In the next six years, Prussia made speedy
improvements to the underdeveloped and sparsely populated area. In the next hundred years,
German settlers founded new towns and cities in these lands, and railroads, libraries, school,
churches, farms and businesses were developed.
improvements to the underdeveloped and sparsely populated area. In the next hundred years,
German settlers founded new towns and cities in these lands, and railroads, libraries, school,
churches, farms and businesses were developed.
When the Prussian army crossed the border into Silesia, the peasants armed themselves with scythes
and hoes and joined the Prussians in their fight against Austria. To them, they were liberators. The
new Habsburg ruler, 23 year old Maria Theresa was strong, but her Habsburg armies proved no
match for the Prussians. After Friedrich's first victory over the Austrians in April of 1741, he
convinced the French and Bavarians to join him against Maria Theresa. A series of three later
victories in 1745 won him the title of the Great. By the treaty of Dresden in 1745, Maria Theresa
unhappily ceded the greater part of Silesia to Prussia, adding fifty percent more people to Prussia's
population. However, Friedrich was still being underestimated.
and hoes and joined the Prussians in their fight against Austria. To them, they were liberators. The
new Habsburg ruler, 23 year old Maria Theresa was strong, but her Habsburg armies proved no
match for the Prussians. After Friedrich's first victory over the Austrians in April of 1741, he
convinced the French and Bavarians to join him against Maria Theresa. A series of three later
victories in 1745 won him the title of the Great. By the treaty of Dresden in 1745, Maria Theresa
unhappily ceded the greater part of Silesia to Prussia, adding fifty percent more people to Prussia's
population. However, Friedrich was still being underestimated.
Above: The only portrait in Friedrich's long reign which he has personally sat for was painted in 1763
by Johann Georg Ziesenis (click)
by Johann Georg Ziesenis (click)