Frederick the Great

Frederick the Great, King of Prussia from 1740 to 1786, was a notable military leader, statesman, and proponent of the Enlightenment. He modernized the Prussian state and military, expanding its territory through successful wars, including the Silesian Wars. Frederick implemented significant reforms in education, religious tolerance, and civil administration, promoting a rational and merit-based bureaucracy. His philosophical correspondence with thinkers like Voltaire highlighted his commitment to Enlightenment ideals. Frederick's legacy includes transforming Prussia into a major European power and influencing military strategy and governmental practices in the centuries that followed.