Frederick II the Great of Prussia
King of Prussia, 1740-1786 A.D.
1754 AD, Silesia (Breslau mint)
Billon (low-grade silver) 3 Kreutzer, 19 mm.
1769 AD, Silesia (Breslau mint)
Silver 1/3 Thaler, 30 mm.
Frederick II, known as Frederick the Great, ruled the kingdom of Prussia from 1740 to 1786. His early years were marked by interest in literature and music and by conflict with his despotic father, Frederick William I . His father imprisoned him in the fortress of Kustrin for a year.
Frederick began his reign by invading Silesia, a possession of the Austrian Habsburgs. He successfully seized Silesia and additional territories from Austria in the War of the Austrian Succession (1740-8) and the Second Silesian War. His extraordinary military talents enabled him establish his kingdom as the most powerful German state during the Seven Years War (1756-1763). In 1772 he participated in the first partition of Poland, adding further territorial gains.
During the latter part of his reign, his major preoccupation was the
rehabilitation of his war-ravaged domains. He initiated substantial legal
reform and established some limited religious freedom. His authoritarian,
centralized rule supported the aristocracy at the expense of the peasants and
stifled initiative and independence. Nonetheless, as a result of his
tireless, unceasing efforts, he made Prussia into a great power.