Frederick the Great Inherits Prussia
Frederick II of Prussia — 'Frederick the Great' — inherited the throne from his father Frederick William I (the 'Soldier King') in May 1740. Within months, he invaded the wealthy Habsburg province of Silesia, launching the War of Austrian Succession (already covered). But Frederick's significance extends far beyond military conquest: he transformed Prussia into a model Enlightened despotism, abolished judicial torture (1740, the year he took the throne), established freedom of the press and religion, personally corresponded with Voltaire (who lived at Sanssouci palace 1750–1753), composed flute sonatas, and wrote political philosophy while commanding armies. His military innovations — the oblique order of attack, rapid marching, combined arms coordination — defined European warfare for a generation. He described himself as 'the first servant of the state', establishing a secular, rationalist model of monarchy that influenced Napoleon and beyond.
- Year: 1740 CE
- Category: Political
