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)