Frederick the Great Facts & Worksheets

Frederick II ruled as the monarch of Prussia from 1740 until 1786. He was the final Hohenzollern monarch to hold the title of King in Prussia, proclaiming himself King of Prussia after the annexation of Royal Prussia from the Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth in 1772. His notable achievements were his military triumphs during the Silesian wars, his restructuring of the Prussian Army, his participation in the First Partition of Poland, and his support for the arts and Enlightenment ideals.

See the fact file below for more information about Frederick the Great, or you can download our 29-page Frederick the Great worksheet pack to utilize within the classroom or home environment.

Key Facts & Information

WHO WAS FREDERICK THE GREAT?

• Frederick II, also known as Frederick the Great, transformed Prussia into a formidable military power during his reign. 
• Despite his initial disinterest in military matters, he seized the Austrian territory of Silesia in 1742, showcasing his strategic prowess and earning widespread acclaim. 
• Embracing enlightened absolutism, Frederick modernized Prussia’s administrative, religious, and judicial systems, fostering religious tolerance and social mobility. 
• He promoted immigration, supported the arts, and championed press freedom. Frederick’s personal life, including his likely homosexuality and lack of heirs, adds complexity to his legacy. 
• Glorified in the 19th century and admired by figures like Adolf Hitler, Frederick’s reputation waned after World War II due to his association with Nazi symbolism. 
• Nonetheless, modern historians recognize his military prowess, administrative reforms, and contributions to enlightenment culture, shaping Prussia’s rivalry with the Habsburgs and leaving a lasting impact on German history. 

EARLY LIFE

• Frederick, born between 11 and 12 p.m. on January 24, 1712, in Berlin Palace, was the son of Crown Prince Frederick William of Prussia and Sophia Dorothea of Hanover. 
• Baptized Friedrich, his grandfather, Frederick I, welcomed him, as his previous grandsons had died in infancy. After Frederick I’s death in 1713, Frederick William I became King of Prussia, making Frederick the crown prince. He had nine siblings, including six sisters and three brothers.
• Educated by Madame de Montbail (later Madame de Rocoulle), they were raised to be simple folk, as desired by their father.
• Frederick William I, known as the “Soldier King,” built a powerful army and governed with absolute authority, while Sophia, Frederick’s mother, was polite and learned. 
• The differences between his parents affected Frederick’s upbringing and his relationship with his father. Despite his father’s aggressive preferences, Frederick developed interests in music, literature, and French culture, which led to clashes and mistreatment from his father. 
• Despite this, Frederick pursued his interests clandestinely, amassing a secret library with the help of his tutor, Jacques Duhan.
• Frederick William I, fearing religious uncertainty, forbade the teaching of predestination to Frederick, although Frederick seemed to embrace the concept independently.

CROWNED PRINCE

• Sixteen-year-old Frederick formed a close bond with Peter Karl Christoph von Keith, the king’s 17-year-old page. Wilhelmine noted their inseparable relationship, with Keith serving Frederick devotedly and informing him of the king’s actions. 
• Despite Frederick’s likely homosexuality, the nature of his relationship with Keith remains uncertain. When rumors of their closeness reached Frederick William, Keith was sent away to a distant regiment.
• Queen Sophia Dorothea sought to arrange marriages between Frederick and his sister Wilhelmine with the children of King George II of Great Britain. 
• However, fearing a Prussian-British alliance, the Austrian ambassador in Berlin sabotaged the proposed marriages with the help of Prussian officials. He was displeased with the idea of his son marrying into the British court, so Frederick William allied with Austria, abandoning the marriage proposal.

INHERITANCE

• Upon inheriting the throne, Frederick took charge of a heavily militarized state established by his father, Frederick William I. Despite Prussia’s relatively small size, its army ranked among Europe’s largest, reflecting its high military expenses. Over two decades, Frederick doubled the army’s size, leveraging his father’s frugal management. 
• This strategic expansion earned Prussia the reputation of being “an army in possession of a state.” Despite his philosophical acclaim, Frederick had to navigate political complexities, ruling over scattered territories within and outside the Holy Roman Empire. He later proclaimed himself King of Prussia following territorial gains from the First Partition of Poland in 1772.

REIGN

• Upon becoming king, Frederick faced the task of strengthening Prussia, hindered by fragmented territories and a weak economy. He waged wars primarily against Austria to bolster his kingdom’s position. Initiating the First Silesian War in 1740, Frederick swiftly occupied Silesia, citing dynastic claims and aiming for economic and strategic advantages. 
• Subsequent victories, notably at Mollwitz and Chotusitz, led to the cession of Silesia to Prussia in the Treaty of Breslau in 1742. 
• Anticipating Austria’s desire to reclaim Silesia, Frederick launched the Second Silesian War in 1744.
• Despite facing challenges, decisive wins at Hohenfriedberg and Kesselsdorf forced his enemies into peace negotiations. 
• The Treaty of Dresden in 1745 reaffirmed Prussia’s control over Silesia and cemented Frederick’s reputation, earning him the title “the Great” at age 33.

SEVEN YEARS’ WAR

• After securing Silesia in the Treaty of Dresden, Frederick withdrew from the War of the Austrian Succession, while Austria continued to fight until the Treaty of Aix-la-Chapelle in 1748. 
• Maria Theresa of Austria, seeking allies to regain Silesia from Prussia, reformed Austria’s military and tax system. During the decade of peace that followed, Frederick fortified Silesia, expanded his army, and reorganized his finances.
• In 1756, Frederick attempted to preempt Britain’s support for Russia by negotiating an alliance, triggering the Diplomatic Revolution. 
• He invaded Saxony to strengthen his strategic position against Austria and France, initiating the Third Silesian War and the broader Seven Years’ War. 
• Despite initial victories, including capturing Dresden, Frederick faced defeats at Prague and Kolín. However, he scored crucial victories at Rossbach and Leuthen.
• Throughout the conflict, Frederick fought against a coalition of enemies, supported only by Great Britain and its allies. Frederick’s victories at Liegnitz and Torgau maintained Prussia’s position despite significant losses and financial strains. Frederick was able to establish peace because Russia’s attitude reversed after the unexpected death of Empress Elizabeth and the coronation of Peter III.
• The Treaty of Hubertusburg restored European borders to pre-war status, with Prussia retaining Silesia. Despite success, the war inflicted heavy financial costs and personal losses on Prussia and Frederick, including the deaths of close family members and the depletion of his officer corps.

POLICIES

• Frederick II implemented significant reforms to modernize Prussia’s economy, legal system, and administrative apparatus. 
• He viewed himself as the foremost servant of the state and enacted policies to strengthen Prussia’s economic and political standing. 
• Frederick protected domestic industries with tariffs, promoted freedom of speech and press, and abolished judicial torture. Together with his Grand Chancellor Samuel von Cocceji, he reformed the judicial system to ensure legal equality for all citizens, leading to the Prussian Law Code of 1794.
• Additionally, he sought to stabilize Prussia’s fiscal system by appointing Johann Philipp Graumann to oversee currency reform, creating standardized Prussian coinage. 
• Despite Frederick’s debasement of the coinage during the Seven Years’ War, the Mint Edict of May 1763 restored stability to the Prussian monetary system. Frederick also initiated trade ventures like the Emden Company and introduced innovations like lotteries, fire insurance, and a credit bank. 
• He controlled grain prices and promoted trade and industry, particularly silk production.
• Additionally, Frederick modernized the civil service, promoted religious tolerance, and implemented indirect taxation to increase state revenue. 
• However, some of his reforms faced challenges, and he was criticized for implementing policies like the royal monopoly on coffee and employing disabled soldiers to enforce it. 
• Despite these challenges, Frederick’s reforms laid the groundwork for Prussia’s economic and administrative development.

LATER YEARS AND DEATH

• Frederick the Great grew increasingly isolated in his later years as his close circle of friends at Sanssouci dwindled, leaving him critical and arbitrary, frustrating the civil service and military officers. 
• Despite his immense popularity among the Prussian people due to his enlightened reforms and military achievements, Frederick found little pleasure in their admiration, preferring the company of his pet Italian greyhounds, whom he humorously referred to as his “marquises de Pompadour.” Even as he battled health issues like asthma and gout in his late 60s and early 70s, Frederick remained dedicated to state affairs, rising before dawn, consuming copious amounts of coffee, and attending to business with his tenacity.
• Frederick passed away on August 17, 1786, at 74, in his study at Sanssouci. 
• His nephew Frederick William II ordered his remains to be buried next to his father in the Potsdam Garrison Church but his request was to be buried with his beloved greyhounds on the terrace overlooking the vineyard. 
•  In 1991, Frederick’s casket was laid in state at Sanssouci on the 205th anniversary of his death. It was escorted by a Bundeswehr guard of honor and covered by a Prussian flag. 

Frederick the Great Worksheets

This fantastic bundle includes everything you need to know about Frederick the Great across 29 in-depth pages. These ready-to-use worksheets are perfect for teaching kids about Frederick the Great. His notable achievements were his military triumphs during the Silesian wars, his restructuring of the Prussian Army, his participation in the First Partition of Poland, and his support for the arts and Enlightenment ideals.

Complete List of Included Worksheets

Below is a list of all the worksheets included in this document.

1. Frederick the Great Facts
2. Great Profiling 
3. True or False?
4. Enlightenment Reforms
5. Influential Personalities
6. Which Side Are You?
7. The Great Legacy
8. Broadcasting the Past
9. Scale Modeling
10. Video Watching
11. It’s Showtime

Frequently Asked Questions

Who was Frederick the Great?

Frederick II, commonly known as Frederick the Great, was the King of Prussia from 1740 until 1786. He was one of the most notable monarchs of the Hohenzollern dynasty and is often regarded as one of the greatest military tacticians and rulers in European history.

What were Frederick the Great’s major accomplishments?

Frederick the Great is known for modernizing the Prussian state and military. He implemented significant administrative, social, and economic reforms, promoting religious tolerance and education. Militarily, he successfully expanded Prussian territories through strategic warfare, notably during the Silesian Wars and the Seven Years’ War.

How did Frederick the Great contribute to the arts and culture?

Frederick was a patron of the arts and culture. He supported the Enlightenment and attracted intellectuals and artists to his court, including Voltaire. Frederick himself was a composer, musician, and philosopher. He played the flute proficiently and composed over 100 pieces of music.

What were some challenges Frederick the Great faced during his reign?

Frederick faced numerous challenges during his reign, including frequent conflicts with neighboring powers such as Austria, Russia, and France. The Seven Years’ War, in particular, strained Prussia’s resources and threatened its existence. Additionally, Frederick dealt with internal opposition, financial difficulties, and the complexities of governing a diverse population.

What was Frederick the Great’s legacy?

Frederick’s legacy is complex and multifaceted. He is remembered as a skilled military leader, an enlightened despot, and a key figure of the Enlightenment. His reforms laid the foundation for Prussia’s transformation into a major European power and influenced the development of modern Germany. However, his aggressive foreign policies also left a legacy of conflict and tension in Europe.

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