Frederick II of Prussia

Reign: 1740 – 1786
Life: 1712–1786

His most significant accomplishments include military successes in the Silesian wars, reorganisation of the Prussian Army, the First Partition of Poland, and patronage of the arts and the Enlightenment. Prussia greatly increased its territories and became a major military power in Europe under his rule. In his youth, Prince Frederick was more interested in music and philosophy than war, which led to clashes with his authoritarian father, Frederick William I of Prussia. He became an influential military theorist, whose analyses emerged from his extensive personal battlefield experience and covered issues of strategy, tactics, mobility and logistics. Frederick was a supporter of enlightened absolutism, stating that the ruler should be the first servant of the state. He modernised the Prussian bureaucracy and civil service, and pursued religious policies that ranged from tolerance to segregation.

During Frederick II of Prussia's reign, George III of Great Britain ruled Great Britain, Catherine II of Russia ruled Russia, and Qianlong Emperor ruled China.

Want to learn more? Further reading

Frederick the Great: King of Prussia by Tim Blanning

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Go deeper on Frederick II of Prussia

Hand-picked histories and biographies for readers who want more than the timeline: the same era, told in full.

Frederick the Great: King of Prussia

Tim Blanning

The standard modern biography, Enlightenment philosophy, Silesian wars, and the making of great-power Prussia.

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Frederick the Great: A Life in Deed and Letters
Giles MacDonogh
MacDonogh draws on Frederick's own writings to balance the soldier-king with the patron of Voltaire.
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