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BIOGRAPHY: Frederick William II, also called Frederick the Great, was the third king of Prussia. Publicly criticized by his father, Frederick William I, for his artistic and intellectual tastes, Frederick II attempted to flee Prussia in 1730 but was caught and temporarily imprisoned. He inherited the throne in 1740. Throughout his reign, Frederick proved to be a strong military ruler, taking advantage of an upheaval caused by Austria's succession to engage in war. His ultimate goal was to increase the power of the state. His economic policies centered on his desire to avoid importing foreign goods but to make money on exported goods. Frederick was also an intellectual ruler, writing contemporary history and poetry and inviting French intellectuals, such as Voltaire, to Prussia.
Frederick ll, or Frederick the Great, who ruled from 1740 to 1786, was one of the best educated monarchs of the time. He was well versed in Enlightenment ideas and exchanged letters with the French philosopher and writer Voltaire. Frederick was also a dedicated ruler. He, too, enlarged the Prussian army by actively recruiting the nobility into civil service. Frederick kept a strict watch over the bureaucracy.Â
For a time, Frederick seemed quite willing to make enlightened reforms. He abolished the use of torture except in treason and murder cases. He also granted limited freedom of speech and press, as well as greater religious toleration. However, Frederick kept Prussia's serfdom and rigid social structure intact and avoided any additional reforms.
"Your great mind estimates metaphysics very highly . . . You can hardly understand, sir, what a consolation it is for Mme. du Chatelet and myself to find you so true a philosopher, and so good a hater of superstition. . . . My only misfortune is that my health is so feeble that I shall most likely never be a personal witness of the good you do and the great example you set. Happy they who will see those great days, who with their own eyes will witness the reign of glory and prosperity! But I shall at least have enjoyed the favours of the philosopher-prince, and the first-fruits of his soul?"
(Voltaire, in a letter to Frederick the Great)
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