| Friedrich der Große |
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 controlled yet strong approach using his charm and wit to survive, succeed
and prosper. To accomplish his goals, he also needed to be a shrewd military tactician.
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 controlled yet strong approach using his charm and wit to survive, succeed
and prosper. To accomplish his goals, he also needed to be a shrewd military tactician.
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.
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.
Under his rule, 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 commander
in the field. During the Seven Years’ War, Friedrich the Great led his small Prussian monarchy of 3
million against France, Austria-Hungary, Russia, Sweden and Saxony with their combined force of
43 million people and was not defeated. He was 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.
Years War and the War of Bavarian Succession, not only as king, but also as a brilliant commander
in the field. During the Seven Years’ War, Friedrich the Great led his small Prussian monarchy of 3
million against France, Austria-Hungary, Russia, Sweden and Saxony with their combined force of
43 million people and was not defeated. He was 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.
In 1747, 62 years old Johann Sebastion Bach visited the Prussian court of 35 year old Friedrich. Bach had to travel
twenty hours from Leipzig to attend at the Royal Palace in Potsdam. When Bach arrived, Friedrich was about to begin his
regular evening concert in which he played the flute. Upon hearing of Bach's arrival, he laid down his flute and said,
'Gentlemen, old Bach is here' and invited Bach directly in to try his newest Gottfried Silbermann fortepiano, one of seven
which were located in different rooms. During the visit, the King played a short tune intended for Bach to improvise. On
his return to Leipzig, Bach developed the theme and entitled it 'A Musical Offering' which he sent to the Court with a
thank you and a dedication. Bach's son, Carl Philipp Emanuel Bach, was Friedrich's harpsichordist during his last years as
Crown Prince and he remained with him for nearly thirty years in the stimulating environment of Berlin and Potsdam,
where he composed more than 300 works.
twenty hours from Leipzig to attend at the Royal Palace in Potsdam. When Bach arrived, Friedrich was about to begin his
regular evening concert in which he played the flute. Upon hearing of Bach's arrival, he laid down his flute and said,
'Gentlemen, old Bach is here' and invited Bach directly in to try his newest Gottfried Silbermann fortepiano, one of seven
which were located in different rooms. During the visit, the King played a short tune intended for Bach to improvise. On
his return to Leipzig, Bach developed the theme and entitled it 'A Musical Offering' which he sent to the Court with a
thank you and a dedication. Bach's son, Carl Philipp Emanuel Bach, was Friedrich's harpsichordist during his last years as
Crown Prince and he remained with him for nearly thirty years in the stimulating environment of Berlin and Potsdam,
where he composed more than 300 works.
| Sans Souci |
For more than 3 centuries the rulers of Brandenburg hired the very best artists of their time to build
and enhance the Royal buildings in and around Berlin with elaborate palaces and gardens. There was
building activity under the Prussian monarchs from Joachim II, the Great Elector to the last of the
German emperors. Friedrich was foremost with a grand vision.
and enhance the Royal buildings in and around Berlin with elaborate palaces and gardens. There was
building activity under the Prussian monarchs from Joachim II, the Great Elector to the last of the
German emperors. Friedrich was foremost with a grand vision.
Friedrich left clear instructions for his funeral in his will: "I want to be buried at midnight in the park
of my château at Sans Souci without fuss and without the slightest ceremony, accompanied by my
dog and by two valets bearing torches. I have lived as a philosopher and wish to be buried as such,
without circumstance, without solemn pomp, without splendour. I want to be neither opened nor
embalmed. Bury me in Sanssouci at the same level with terraces in a tomb, which I have prepared
for myself... Should I die in time of war or whilst on a journey, I should be buried in the first
convenient place and brought to Sanssouci in the winter." Friedrich's successor Friedrich Wilhelm II
instead ordered him buried in the Potsdam garrison church next to his father, Friedrich Wilhelm I.
of my château at Sans Souci without fuss and without the slightest ceremony, accompanied by my
dog and by two valets bearing torches. I have lived as a philosopher and wish to be buried as such,
without circumstance, without solemn pomp, without splendour. I want to be neither opened nor
embalmed. Bury me in Sanssouci at the same level with terraces in a tomb, which I have prepared
for myself... Should I die in time of war or whilst on a journey, I should be buried in the first
convenient place and brought to Sanssouci in the winter." Friedrich's successor Friedrich Wilhelm II
instead ordered him buried in the Potsdam garrison church next to his father, Friedrich Wilhelm I.
“He was a great man, especially in critical situations. It’s the highest
praise one can give of his character” was Napoleon’s homage to the
King of Prussia, Friedrich the Great, as he stood at his coffin. Napoleon
then went into Friedrich's personal library, rifled through his belongings
and took what he wanted, as was his habit. Saying."We would not be
here if he were alive," Napoleon took Friedrich's sword. It went back to
Paris where it was later destroyed.
praise one can give of his character” was Napoleon’s homage to the
King of Prussia, Friedrich the Great, as he stood at his coffin. Napoleon
then went into Friedrich's personal library, rifled through his belongings
and took what he wanted, as was his habit. Saying."We would not be
here if he were alive," Napoleon took Friedrich's sword. It went back to
Paris where it was later destroyed.
One of eight surviving children born to Friedrich Wilhelm 1 and Sophea
Dorothea von Hannover during a time of prosperity, Friedrich the Great was
brought up by French Huguenot governesses and tutors, learning French and
German at the same time. In addition to his native language and French, 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.
Dorothea von Hannover during a time of prosperity, Friedrich the Great was
brought up by French Huguenot governesses and tutors, learning French and
German at the same time. In addition to his native language and French, 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.
In what can only be described as an outrage of modern history, the name "Prussia" was formally expunged from
international language by order Number 46 of the Allied Control Commission on February 23,1945 because, as it stated:
"Since time immemorial it has been the pillar of militarism and reaction in Germany." Lost in the heroic rhetoric was the
fact that Prussia was also the "pillar" of historical religious tolerance lacking in its European neighbors, and a pillar of
hospitality in its offering of a new, free, undiscriminating homeland for persecuted refugees from Scotland, France, Austria
and elsewhere throughout its history. Not only were Protestant religious refugees welcomed in Prussia, Friedrich the
Great also gave asylum to Jesuits who had been expelled from every Catholic capital in Europe. And later, when the
Brothers Grimm were banished from Cassel for their liberalism, they were received and given positions in Prussia by
Friedrich Wilhelm lV.
international language by order Number 46 of the Allied Control Commission on February 23,1945 because, as it stated:
"Since time immemorial it has been the pillar of militarism and reaction in Germany." Lost in the heroic rhetoric was the
fact that Prussia was also the "pillar" of historical religious tolerance lacking in its European neighbors, and a pillar of
hospitality in its offering of a new, free, undiscriminating homeland for persecuted refugees from Scotland, France, Austria
and elsewhere throughout its history. Not only were Protestant religious refugees welcomed in Prussia, Friedrich the
Great also gave asylum to Jesuits who had been expelled from every Catholic capital in Europe. And later, when the
Brothers Grimm were banished from Cassel for their liberalism, they were received and given positions in Prussia by
Friedrich Wilhelm lV.
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. At a young age, he was
urged 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.
been forced to watch his best friend's beheading for the crime of treason. At a young age, he was
urged 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.
| Friedrich II, 1712-1786, King of Prussia from 1740 to 1786 |
Prussia was also a pillar of musical genius, the arts, science, philosophy and medicine. Prussia as a state was far less
aggressive and warlike than Britain, France or Russia, and certainly less adept at gobbling large areas of the earth and
subjugating native populations by enforcing blood thirsty colonial rule on anywhere near the scale of her neighbors.
Prussia's history did not include murderous suppression of minorities, profiteering from slave trading or using hunger
blockades and enforced famine to inhumanly starve out its enemies. Nor did Prussia encourage the rape and burning alive
of millions of women and children non-combatants in wartime. Friedrich didn't cut off his wife's head.
aggressive and warlike than Britain, France or Russia, and certainly less adept at gobbling large areas of the earth and
subjugating native populations by enforcing blood thirsty colonial rule on anywhere near the scale of her neighbors.
Prussia's history did not include murderous suppression of minorities, profiteering from slave trading or using hunger
blockades and enforced famine to inhumanly starve out its enemies. Nor did Prussia encourage the rape and burning alive
of millions of women and children non-combatants in wartime. Friedrich didn't cut off his wife's head.
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."
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."
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, but Prussia was underdeveloped in industry and trade.
There was no navy, no raw materials and no regions suitable for mining.
surplus and Europe's best-trained army, but Prussia was underdeveloped in industry and trade.
There was no navy, no raw materials and no regions suitable for mining.
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 which
would connect the two rivers of Berlin, Havel and Spree with the river Oder was underway, 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, 21000 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.
and turnips to avoid famines. In the beginning of 1747, while the building of the Finow canal which
would connect the two rivers of Berlin, Havel and Spree with the river Oder was underway, 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, 21000 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 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.
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." 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 towns and cities and railroads
developed and enhanced, with libraries, school, churches, farms and businesses.
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." 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 towns and cities and railroads
developed and enhanced, with libraries, school, churches, farms and businesses.
Friedrich disassociated Prussia from what he considered 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. He allowed freedom of speech and print. He gave Prussia the reputation of
having the finest administration and legal system in Europe.
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. He allowed freedom of speech and print. He gave Prussia the reputation of
having the finest administration and legal system in Europe.
| Poland |
| Silesia |
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.
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.
The Allies arrogantly called Friedrich the Great a "forerunner of Adolf Hitler" but their history was perverted and their
memories short: Although independence had been won in 1776 and the United States was recognized by Great Britain,
the new nation was still shunned by British trade. On September 10, 1785, a year before his death, 74 year old Friedrich
the Great of Prussia and the USA signed a friendship and trade contract, which would last 132 years until 1917, the year
America entered the first world war. President John Quincy Adams stated to congress 40 years later: "In the youth of
our political existence, a great and philosophical European Sovereign was the only one where our envoys found
understanding with their liberal ideas."
memories short: Although independence had been won in 1776 and the United States was recognized by Great Britain,
the new nation was still shunned by British trade. On September 10, 1785, a year before his death, 74 year old Friedrich
the Great of Prussia and the USA signed a friendship and trade contract, which would last 132 years until 1917, the year
America entered the first world war. President John Quincy Adams stated to congress 40 years later: "In the youth of
our political existence, a great and philosophical European Sovereign was the only one where our envoys found
understanding with their liberal ideas."
Music by Friedrich the Great
In the chaos of World War Two, German soldiers had moved the coffin of
Friedrich the Great for safekeeping to an underground bunker in Potsdam-
Eiche in 1943 and then, in March of 1945, to a salt mine in Thuringia. After
the war's end, the bones were carried off by Allied soldiers for some reason
to be stashed at Marburg-in-Hesse's Elizabeth Church. There was some talk
among the Allies of destroying the mortal remains of the king as a symbol of
their new authority over Germany, but the Bones were instead transferred to
Burg Hohenzollern at Hechtigen in 1952. American G.I.s move the king's
coffin, left. Potsdam was brutally bombed by the Allies and then greatly and
shamelessly plundered and looted by the Communist occupiers.
Friedrich the Great for safekeeping to an underground bunker in Potsdam-
Eiche in 1943 and then, in March of 1945, to a salt mine in Thuringia. After
the war's end, the bones were carried off by Allied soldiers for some reason
to be stashed at Marburg-in-Hesse's Elizabeth Church. There was some talk
among the Allies of destroying the mortal remains of the king as a symbol of
their new authority over Germany, but the Bones were instead transferred to
Burg Hohenzollern at Hechtigen in 1952. American G.I.s move the king's
coffin, left. Potsdam was brutally bombed by the Allies and then greatly and
shamelessly plundered and looted by the Communist occupiers.
| The wishes of Friedrich the Great were at last fulfilled, despite shrill protests that he should not be honored at all, and that his reburial might result in a "resurgence of German nationalism". On August 17, 1991, on the 295th anniversary of his death, the sarcophagus with the mortal remains of the King was laid out in the forecourt of Sanssouci palace, escorted by an honour guard. The burial took place that night in the tomb Friedrich had planned for the purpose since 1744: "Once I am there, I shall be carefree". |
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. He and his father reportedly had a strained relationship, although he
spoke of him quite proudly at times. 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.
flute as well as four symphonies, and he was a brilliant soldier and strategist who was respected
world-wide for generations. He and his father reportedly had a strained relationship, although he
spoke of him quite proudly at times. 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.
Although cultured, young 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. Less
than two months later, Friedrich II astonished Europe by marching a Prussian army into the rich
Habsburg province of Silesia. 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 ceded the greater part of Silesia to Prussia, adding fifty percent more people to
Prussia's population. All the same, on August 29, 1756, 70,000 Prussian soldiers under Friedrich the
Great marched into Saxony and launched the Seven Years War in order to keep it.
house, he also jumped to attention when Emperor Karl VI of Austria died on October 20, 1740. Less
than two months later, Friedrich II astonished Europe by marching a Prussian army into the rich
Habsburg province of Silesia. 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 ceded the greater part of Silesia to Prussia, adding fifty percent more people to
Prussia's population. All the same, on August 29, 1756, 70,000 Prussian soldiers under Friedrich the
Great marched into Saxony and launched the Seven Years War in order to keep it.