Fredrick II – A Great Enlightened Despot (Descriptive-Refresher Type) for B. A. III Paper A

Fredrick II – A Great Enlightened Despot

Question: III-2-5: Frederick the Great of Prussia was an enlightened monarch. Do you agree with this?
Or
Describe the achievements of Frederick the Great of Prussia.

Answer: Fredrick II ruled over Prussia from 1740 to 1786. He is known as the Fredrick the Great in history. His name shines with the names of Henry IV of France and Louis XIV of France among the enlightened monarchs of Europe. He was a complete despot who had taken over the reigns of every department in the state but still he was a king who worked for the welfare of the people.

Domestic Policy

1). An Enlightened Monarch: Frederick thought of kingship as a duty. In his Anti-Machiavel discussion of the principles of good government published in 1740, Frederick wrote that there were two types of princes, those who ruled in person and those who worked through subordinates. The formers were "like the soul of a state" and "the weight of their government falls on themselves alone, like the world on the back of Atlas," whereas the second group were mere phantoms. Under him the Prussian administration was the most honest and hardworking in Europe. Its achievements, however, stemmed from the impetus supplied from above by the king rather than from any creative force inherent in the system itself.
2). Economic Reforms: Fredrick II gave utmost importance to the financial stability in the country and made the appropriate economic reforms. He also brought the fallow land under cultivation. He stopped the unnecessary expenditure in the administration. He drained out the swamps and made them available for agriculture. He dug many canals to promote irrigation. He introduced refined techniques in agriculture and also made available better seeds. He also encouraged the sowing of potatoes and the alternative fodder for cattle. He reduced the taxes on the farmers. The tamed the oppressive land owners.
He introduced the silk industry in Prussia. He cultivated many mulberry trees for that and encouraged the silk industry. The artisans were given every possible help to encourage the industry. In order to encourage the internal trades, the customs and toll posts were abolished and the roads were improved. He also joined the river Elbe, Oder and Havel by canals and established new mode of transportation. He also encouraged the national industry by checking the imports by raising the tariff walls. Prussia made tremendous progress in field of industry and commerce due the economic reforms of Fredrick II and became one the prosperous country of Europe.
3). Military Reforms: It was the main policy of Fredrick II to make Prussia strong and for that he had given maximum importance to make the Prussian army strong. He raised the schools for the military training of soldiers and provided them with the latest weapons. He introduced strict discipline in h is army. He spend a major income of his state on army. His army became so strong that it was envied by rest of Europe. When he had taken over the reign of Prussia, the country had 83000 soldiers and when he left, it had increased to 195000 soldiers.
4). Judicial Reforms: Fredrick II took a particular interests in the administration of justice and was greatly loved by his people. He gave right of equality to his people. He issued the code in easy words. He established High Court at Berlin and many provincial courts. He expedited the settlement of cases. He had appointed sincere and hardworking judges in the court at a very good salary. He was quite successful in establishing the rule of law and justice in his state.
5). Reforms for the development of Literature, Education and Art: Fredrick II was lover of art and culture. During his earlier days he devoted himself to literary side for which he had suffered the wrath of his high profile father King Frederick I. He himself had authored the books like Essay on Forms of Government and Duties of Sovereign. He liked the company of scholars, artists, scientist and patronised them just like any other enlightened monarch. Voltaire, the shinning star among philosophers and political thinker was his best friend. Similarly he established the Berlin Academy of Science. He also concentrated on educating the Prussians. He encouraged the music and construction activities.
6). Religious Policy: Fredrick II adopted the policy of tolerance towards religious issues. He was not in favour of fanatic Protestants. He had given asylum to the oppressed Roman Catholics who had been banished from other Protestant countries. However, he did not extended his policy of religious tolerance towards the Jews.
Foreign Policy: The main aim of the foreign policy of Fredrick II was to increase the territory of Prussia and gain prestige for her in the world politics. For it, he gave special importance to the military of Prussia. He adopted all the conceivable methods to achieve the aims of his foreign policy that some of the scholars had called him the new Machiavelli.
7). War of Austrian Succession: A struggle for the succession to the throne of Austria started in 1740. Taking advantage of the fluid political situation Fredrick II invaded and occupied Silesia. By the treaty of Aix-la-Chapelle his occupation was confirmed.
8). Seven Years War: Austria tried to take revenge on Prussia because of her defeat in war of succession. She raised a front against Prussia. England came to the support of Prussia. This started a war between Prussia and Austria for seven years from 1756 – 1763. It was settled by the treaty of Hubertusburg. According to the treaty, Austria recognized the control of Prussia over Silesia. Prussian ruling dynasty Hohenzollern was imparted prestige similar to the Habsburg dynasty of Austria.
9). First Partition of Poland: In 1772, Austria, Prussia and Russia attacked Poland and divided it among themselves. Prussia acquired East Prussia out of this division. It was unethical act on the part of the European powers but on the other hand it was considered as the major diplomatic achievement of Fredrick II .
Estimate of Fredrick II : Frederick II had established the course of the future of Prussian history which was became of the history of Germany. He was able to defeat two leading powers of Europe, one the Holy Roman Empire and secondly the Habsburg family of Austria. However, a struggle between Austria and Prussia continued for a long time, but it was finally resolved in 1866 and Austria was finally subdued. For it, Frederick had earned the criticism of some historians, but it was such acts of the emperor, which imparted the place of honour to Prussia in Europe. He also gave the humanitarian touch to the future German royalty by patronizing the German culture and ethos. He brought the national unity of the German nation which was finally accomplished her national status in 1870.