Frederick the Great

The "philosopher king" who turned Prussia into a European great power.

Life

Rebellious prince

As a young man Frederick II loved music and literature and had a tense relationship with his harsh father, the "Soldier King" Frederick William I. At eighteen he tried to flee abroad; caught and brought back, he was forced to watch his close friend's execution.

Silesia and the Seven Years' War

Upon taking the throne in 1740 he immediately seized Austria's Silesia. In the Seven Years' War (1756–1763) Prussia was nearly destroyed by the coalition of Austria, France and Russia, surviving only thanks to his generalship and Russia's unexpected withdrawal, and kept Silesia. In 1772 he took part in the First Partition of Poland.

Sanssouci

Calling himself "the first servant of the state," he promoted religious tolerance, judicial reform and universal education, encouraged the growing of potatoes, built Sanssouci at Potsdam, corresponded with Voltaire, and played the flute and composed music. He died in 1786.

Legacy

Frederick the Great was a leading representative of enlightened despotism, and under him Prussia joined the ranks of Europe's great powers.

Major works & achievements

• Anti-Machiavel
• Flute sonatas

Did you know? People still often leave potatoes on his grave in tribute to his promotion of potato cultivation.

Key dates

• 1730Failed escape attempt
• 1740Takes the throne; seizes Silesia
• 1745Construction of Sanssouci begins
• 1756Seven Years' War breaks out
• 1763Seven Years' War ends; Silesia retained
• 1772First Partition of Poland
• 1786Died