The Life of Frederick the Great
A biography
Frederick the Great
was born in Berlin, under the name Frederick William II. He was born to
Frederick William I, and Sophia Dorothea of Hanover. He lived from January 24,
1712, until August 17, 1786. During his childhood, he took much interest in the
fine arts. His father had expanded their borders tenfold, and was a military
fanatic, however this did not bode well for Frederick. He was fascinated by
French literature, philosophy, poetry, and italian music. His father was
extremely displeased by this, to say the least. He wanted him to take up
activities that were more conventional for men in that era. This meant hunting,
riding, etc. Because of the scrutiny he received, he and his friend (and
possibly lover) Hans Hermann von Katte. However, they were caught doing so, and
His father was furious. There was a conspiracy that he was possibly working with
the British, and that they would turn on Frederick I, and attempt to take
Prussia down. He and his friend were charged with treason, and Frederick II was
forced to watch his friend and possible lover decapitated right in front of his
eyes. After this incident, Frederick was monitored very closely throughout his
childhood. In the late 1730s, after Frederick had made peace with his father, he
gave him the Chateau Rheinsburg, which is north of Berlin. Whilst living here,
he immersed himself in fine arts, spending his time watching plays, listening to
music, and he even said himself, it was one of the happiest times of his
life.
Frederick’s education was unique in a way. is father wished for all princes and princesses to be educated as common folk. This was much different than other European countries, where education for these nobles was often done either by tutoring, or some other form of private education. This was during the 1730’s, which was an important part of Frederick’s personal life. His father made him marry Elisabeth Christine von Braunschweig-Bevern in on July 12th, 1733. Frederick I saw this as the only way for Frederick to repent his wrongdoings, with the treason and all. William mostly payed no attention to his wife, rarely visiting her, and not fathering any children.
Frederick William’s reign as a king was very successful, hence “the Great”. He carried on his father’s dominance in the battlefield, and had higher goals for Prussia other than just expanding borders. He wished to advance them technology and intellectually-wise, and to just make Prussia a better place. He ruled as king from May 31, 1740, until August 17th, 1786. He won many battles and fought many wars, including the war of the Austrian succession, which happened from 1740-1748. Two other major wars he fought were the seven years war, and the war of the Bavarian succession.
Frederick was a true renaissance man in culture. He could play the flute, speak multiple languages, studied poetry and studied many subjects such as french literature, as stated before. Frederick left a huge legacy behind him, and not only being one of the most interesting rulers ever, he made Prussia in to the power that they were.
- Joe White
was born in Berlin, under the name Frederick William II. He was born to
Frederick William I, and Sophia Dorothea of Hanover. He lived from January 24,
1712, until August 17, 1786. During his childhood, he took much interest in the
fine arts. His father had expanded their borders tenfold, and was a military
fanatic, however this did not bode well for Frederick. He was fascinated by
French literature, philosophy, poetry, and italian music. His father was
extremely displeased by this, to say the least. He wanted him to take up
activities that were more conventional for men in that era. This meant hunting,
riding, etc. Because of the scrutiny he received, he and his friend (and
possibly lover) Hans Hermann von Katte. However, they were caught doing so, and
His father was furious. There was a conspiracy that he was possibly working with
the British, and that they would turn on Frederick I, and attempt to take
Prussia down. He and his friend were charged with treason, and Frederick II was
forced to watch his friend and possible lover decapitated right in front of his
eyes. After this incident, Frederick was monitored very closely throughout his
childhood. In the late 1730s, after Frederick had made peace with his father, he
gave him the Chateau Rheinsburg, which is north of Berlin. Whilst living here,
he immersed himself in fine arts, spending his time watching plays, listening to
music, and he even said himself, it was one of the happiest times of his
life.
Frederick’s education was unique in a way. is father wished for all princes and princesses to be educated as common folk. This was much different than other European countries, where education for these nobles was often done either by tutoring, or some other form of private education. This was during the 1730’s, which was an important part of Frederick’s personal life. His father made him marry Elisabeth Christine von Braunschweig-Bevern in on July 12th, 1733. Frederick I saw this as the only way for Frederick to repent his wrongdoings, with the treason and all. William mostly payed no attention to his wife, rarely visiting her, and not fathering any children.
Frederick William’s reign as a king was very successful, hence “the Great”. He carried on his father’s dominance in the battlefield, and had higher goals for Prussia other than just expanding borders. He wished to advance them technology and intellectually-wise, and to just make Prussia a better place. He ruled as king from May 31, 1740, until August 17th, 1786. He won many battles and fought many wars, including the war of the Austrian succession, which happened from 1740-1748. Two other major wars he fought were the seven years war, and the war of the Bavarian succession.
Frederick was a true renaissance man in culture. He could play the flute, speak multiple languages, studied poetry and studied many subjects such as french literature, as stated before. Frederick left a huge legacy behind him, and not only being one of the most interesting rulers ever, he made Prussia in to the power that they were.
- Joe White