Frederick the Great1712-1786
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 Watched his friend get beheaded
House of Hohenzollern
Background 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
Seven Years War 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
Frederick the Great Leading his men
to battle
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 Ex: He was a patron of Bach and Voltaire
Partitioning of Poland
Frederick the Enlightened Despot Abolished torture Built canals Grew new crops (potato and turnip) Religious toleration
Sans Souci
Frederick’s summer palace(just outside Berlin)