The credit for establishing absolute monarchy in Prussia goes to Frederick the Great of Prussia (1740-86), who was one of the most enlightened despots of the age in the words of Prof. C.J.H. Hayes, “Enlightened despotism was brilliantly exemplified by Frederick the Great of Prussia and it was at least an ideal for most of his monarchical contemporaries.” Frederick II put forth the ideals of a good ruler quite emphatically.
He said, “The Princes is to the nation he governs, what the head is to the man; it is his duty to see, think and act for the whole community, that he may procure it every advantage of which it is capable.” Again, he said, “The monarch is not the absolute master, but only the first servant of the state.”
He argued “the people are not there for the sake of the rulers but the rulers for the sake of the people.” Motivated by these ideals Frederick II tried to promote the good of the people in every possible manner. He encouraged trade, commerce and industry and held firm faith in the theory of mercantilism.
Therefore, he erected high tariff walls to check foreign imports and encourage indigenous industry. He also tried to promote agriculture and made available free seeds, cattle and horses to the poor peasants to enable them to cultivate their farms. He provided tax relief to people who suffered during the national wars.
ADVERTISEMENTS:
Frederick re-organized the judicial administration and forbade the use of torture except for special cases. Death penalty was awarded very rarely. He streamlined the judicial administration by introducing uniform legal fees throughout the country, and ensured that all the judicial cases were disposed off within one year.
Unlike other contemporary rulers, Frederick suppressed religious fanaticism and granted freedom of religion to people. They were left free to pursue any religion and state did not interfere in religious matters.
Above all, Frederick like other absolute monarchs of his age tried to promote arts, sciences and learning. He revitalized the Berlin Academy of Science and extended every possible patronage to the intellectuals.
Voltaire, the great French philosopher was Frederick’s personal friend. Frederick also patronized music, poetry and literature. Like Louis XIV of France he also built a palace of Potsdam with a part of Sans Souci which looked like the glittering city of Versailles.
ADVERTISEMENTS:
Apart from outstanding achievements in the domestic sphere which won him the admiration of the people, he sought to win international fame and glory by undertaking wars of conquest. Soon after assumption of throne he marched into Silesia, a rich province of Austria, because there was a dispute regarding the succession of Marie Theresa, the daughter of Charles VI, as Queen of Austria.
The Austrian troops were routed and Silesia was occupied by the Prussian forces. In 1742 Frederick withdrew his troops after Maria Theresa ceded Silesia to him. This, however, roused the jealousy of other nations like Spain, France, Bavaria, Savoy and Saxony and they all jumped into the War of Austrian Succession in the hope of some gains.
On the other hand, England and Holland intervened on behalf of Maria Theresa. This obliged Frederick to enter the war in defence of his newly won province. In the war he proved the military superiority of Prussia and forced Maria Theresa to leave him as master of Silesia in 1745. The War of Austrian Succession also extended to colonies where struggle began between the French and the English.
Ultimately the war was brought to a close by the Peace of Aix-la-Chapelle (1748). In terms of this treaty Frederick was allowed to retain Silesia and Mrie Theresa was recognised as the Queen of Austria. Thus Prussia alone gained advantage out of the year long war of Austrian Succession.
ADVERTISEMENTS:
Frederick was involved in yet another war which lasted from 1756-63 and is popularly known as Seven Years War. This war was caused because Maria Theresa formed an alliance with Austria, France, Russia and Saxony to crush the rising power of Prussia. On the other hand, England sided with Frederick.
After a prolonged war lasting for seven years the Peace of Hubertsburg was concluded in 1763 which maintained status quo. Thus Silesia remained with Prussia. In terms of the losses in men and money, the war did not produce any positive results except that it established position of equality for Prussia with Austria, Germany and Prussia emerged as the first military power of Europe.
In 1772 Frederick II in co-operation with Marie Theresa of Austria and Catherine II of Russia seized Poland and secured a part of it for Prussia. Thus he rounded off the Prussian territory by additions of Silesia and part of territory of Poland.
It indeed goes to the credit of Frederick II that he continued the work of predecessors of building a powerful Prussian state at home and brought it into the arena of European politics.
ADVERTISEMENTS:
But what is creditable about him that he behaved like a true father of his nation and did every thing possible for the welfare and happiness of his subjects. Indeed he was model of an enlightened despot.