Nephew of Frederick II.įrederick William II was a man of little foresight and weak character and was inclined to mysticism a court clique held great influence in state affairs.

In historical literature Frederick William I is known as the drill sergeant on the throne.įrederick William II. Noted for hostility toward the intelligentsia and toward progressive social thought, he embodied the major traits of Prussianism. Son of Frederick I father of Frederick II.įrederick William I laid the foundations of Prussian militarism and strengthened the bureaucratic machinery. His son became king of Prussia as Frederick I.

Frederick William laid the foundation of the Prussian state by repressing the estates, strengthening central administration, husbanding the resources of his lands, improving communication, and building the army. Nevertheless, his prestige was enormously enhanced by his brilliant victory at Fehrbellin (1675) over France's Swedish allies. In the Dutch War of 1672–78 he achieved his objective of uniting all of Pomerania, but was forced to give up his conquest as a result of the peace between France and the Holy Roman Empire. In succeeding years Frederick William continued in his attempt to consolidate his widely scattered lands, at the same time trying to avoid French or Hapsburg domination. Now allied against Sweden, he gained W Pomerania, but was deprived of it by the Peace of Oliva (1660). In a treaty with Poland (1657) he obtained recognition of his sovereignty over Prussia, previously held as a fief of the Polish crown. Frederick William subsequently joined Sweden in its war against Poland (1655–60) but deserted the Swedes after Russia and Denmark entered the war. At the Peace of Westphalia, which ended the Thirty Years War, he received E Pomerania and several other territories. Beginning with few resources and no dependable troops, he raised an efficient army. Frederick William immediately negotiated an armistice with Sweden and then turned to building his military strength. At his accession the scattered lands of the Hohenzollern were devastated and depopulated by the Thirty Years War and occupied by Swedish troops. Frederick William, known as the Great Elector, 1620–88, elector of Brandenburg (1640–88), son and successor of George William.

Frederick william iii congress vienna