Frederick the Great

Frederick the Great was born on January 24, 1712, in Berlin, the son of King Frederick William I of Prussia and Sophia Dorothea of Hanover. He had a difficult childhood, as his father was a strict and harsh disciplinarian who disapproved of his son's interest in music, literature, and philosophy. Frederick was often beaten and humiliated by his father, who wanted him to become a soldier. In 1730, Frederick attempted to flee to England with his friend Hans Hermann von Katte, but they were caught and imprisoned. Frederick's father ordered Katte's execution in front of his son, and threatened to disinherit Frederick. In 1733, Frederick married Elisabeth Christine of Brunswick-Wolfenbüttel-Bevern, a niece of the Holy Roman Emperor Charles VI. The marriage was arranged for political reasons, and Frederick had no affection for his wife. He preferred the company of his male friends, especially the French philosopher Voltaire, with whom he corresponded for many years. Frederick was also rumored to have homosexual relationships with some of his courtiers and generals. Frederick became king of Prussia in 1740, after his father's death. He immediately challenged the Habsburg dynasty by invading the rich province of Silesia, which belonged to Austria. This sparked the War of the Austrian Succession (1740-1748), in which Frederick fought against Austria, France, Russia, Saxony, and Sweden. Despite being outnumbered and surrounded by enemies, Frederick managed to secure Silesia for Prussia by winning several decisive battles, such as Mollwitz (1741), Hohenfriedberg (1745), and Kesselsdorf (1745). He also gained international recognition as a brilliant military strategist and tactician. Frederick's ambition to expand Prussia's power and influence led him to initiate another war against Austria in 1756. This war, known as the Seven Years' War (1756-1763), involved most of the European powers and their colonies. Frederick allied with Britain against Austria, France, Russia, Saxony, Sweden, and later Spain. The war was a global conflict that spanned Europe, North America, India, and the Caribbean. Frederick faced enormous challenges and hardships during this war, as he had to fight against multiple enemies on several fronts. He suffered some crushing defeats, such as at Kunersdorf (1759), where he lost more than half of his army. He also faced a potential invasion from Russia, which was only averted by the sudden death of Empress Elizabeth in 1762. Her successor, Peter III, was an admirer of Frederick and switched sides to join him against Austria. The war ended in 1763 with the Treaty of Paris and the Treaty of Hubertusburg, which confirmed Prussia's possession of Silesia and its status as a great European power. After the Seven Years' War, Frederick devoted himself to rebuilding his devastated country and improving its administration, economy, and culture. He reformed the bureaucracy and civil service by promoting merit over birth or wealth. He established a more efficient tax system and encouraged trade and industry. He also abolished torture, granted religious tolerance to all faiths except Catholics in Silesia and Polish Prussia (which he annexed in 1772), improved education and health care, and supported arts and sciences. He patronized many writers, musicians, artists, and philosophers who were part of the Enlightenment movement, such as Voltaire, Jean le Rond d'Alembert, Denis Diderot, Pierre Louis Maupertuis, and Gotthold Ephraim Lessing. He himself wrote several works on history, politics, and military theory, and composed music for the flute. He also built several palaces and gardens, such as Sanssouci in Potsdam, where he spent his last years. Frederick died on August 17, 1786, at the age of 74. He was buried in Sanssouci, next to his favorite dogs. He had no children, and was succeeded by his nephew Frederick William II. He is widely regarded as one of the greatest monarchs in history, and a symbol of the Prussian spirit and culture. He is also known as Frederick the Great (Friedrich der Große) or Old Fritz (der Alte Fritz).