By Miguel Farrell & Bradley Mitchel

FREDERICK II OF PRUSSIA

DATE OF BIRTH/DEATH AND REIGN• Born January 24, 1712 in Berlin, Prussia

• Died August 17, 1786 at the age of 74 in Potsdam, Prussia

• Reigned from May 31, 1740 to August 17, 1786

EMPIRE HE RULED• Prussia

- Foremost military power in Europe at this time

- Modern day Germany

- Laid the foundation for the unification of the Germany states

http://home.comcast.net/~troygoss/images/prussiamap.jpg

HISTORICAL BACKGROUND• Educated in French and German simultaneously

• Crowned prince interested in French literature, poetry, philosophy, and Italian music

• Wanted to flee to England with Hans Hermann von Katte but was caught

- Katte was beheaded but Frederick wasn’t since the king didn’t want him to die

FIVE SIGNIFICANT ACCOMPLISHMENTS• War of the Austrian Succession- Frederick began this war, by attacking Austria for control of

Silesia. Charles Albert of Bolivia, elected Holy Roman Emperor Charles VII, joined Frederick in battle against Austria.

• Treaty of Dresden- In 1745 Frederick secured Silesia in this Treaty. It ended the fight between Austria and Prussia. Frederick acknowledged Francis I as Holy Roman Emperor, which allowed him to keep most of Silesia.

• The Seven Years War- Frederick II of Prussia defeated Saxony in 1756. During this time he defeated the Austrians at the Battle of Prague and when they tried to invade Saxony and Silesia.

• Treaty of Hubertusberg- A treaty that ended the Seven Years War between Prussia and Austria. Frederick laid victorious, with Prussia having complete control of Silesia, and making it the main power in Germany.

• The Enlightenment- Frederick encouraged religious freedom by building a Roman Catholic Cathedral, and used honest, strong officials in government. He also made trials with judges, ended the torturing of prisoners and protected the noble class rights because they were the “backbone” of his army.

IMPORTANCE IN HISTORY• Frederick II of Prussia was known as Frederick the Great for his

thrive in military warfare and as an economic ruler of Prussia.

• Growing up, he was highly educated learning agriculture, economy and administration and also studied enlightenment and military strategy.

• Succeeded in many military accomplishments such as the War of Austrian Succession and the Seven Years War.

• Made Prussia the main power in Germany with his treaty that enabled him to expand territory and control.

• He progressed The Enlightenment movement by expressing religious beliefs, organizing the government, and bettering the economy.

HISTORIANS OPINION OF FREDERICK• Good since he was still able to gain power even though Voltaire was famous at this time

- Was able to be king even with a little bit of money

• Both an enlightened ruler and a ruthless despot

- Through reform, war, and the First Partition of Poland in 1772 he was able to turn Prussia into a powerful European power

- Saw himself as the people’s watchman

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/

OUR OPINION OF FREDERICK• Frederick was able to make a good impression to his people and to us. Even though he

did get in wars with other countries we was still a supporter of music, art, and learning.

• Gifted musician, played the cross- flute and composed one hundred sonatas

• Had many famous buildings constructed in Berlin

• Transformed Prussia into an economically strong and politically reformed state

• United disconnected lands into his empire

http://www.bookdrum.com/images

PICTURES

BIBLIOGRAPHY• Rickard, J. (29 October 2000), Frederick II (the Great) (1712-1786), king of Prussia

(1740-1786), http://www.historyofwar.org/articles/people_frederickgreat.html

• Mckay, Hill, Buckler. A History of World Societies: Volume II Since 1500. Boston: Houghton Mifflin Company. 1992, http://lorribrown.suite101.com/frederick-the-great-a36270

• "Frederick II of Prussia." - New World Encyclopedia. Web. 15 May 2012. <http://www.newworldencyclopedia.org/entry/Frederick_II_of_Prussia>.