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Frederick the Great 1712-1786

Frederick the Great 1712-1786. 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 Had to watch his friend get beheaded. House of Hohenzollern.

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Frederick the Great 1712-1786

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  1. Frederick the Great1712-1786

  2. 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 • Had to watch his friend get beheaded

  3. House of Hohenzollern

  4. 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

  5. Maria Theresa, Habsburg Empress (Austria)

  6. 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

  7. Frederick would lead his men into battle

  8. 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

  9. 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 • He was a patron of Bach and Voltaire

  10. Frederick also split up Poland with other powers

  11. Abolished torture • Built canals • Grew new crops (potato and turnip) • Religious toleration

  12. Frederick’s summer palace in Sans Souci (just outside Berlin)

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