Frederick The Great: The Enlightenment Era In Europe
During the enlightenment era in Europe, conflict began to stir the among European nations. Great philosophers including Locke, Rousseau, Voltaire, and Montesquieu had started introducing ideas of human rights, liberty, and nationalism, leading to a demand for new leaders and for revolutions in Europe ("Enlightenment"). This all took place as many nations desired to expand their boundaries with colonies or into other the territory of other countries. The best leader who would rise from this time of confusion was Frederick the Great. Throughout his time on the throne in Prussia, he would embrace these ideals and take military actions to expand the territory of Prussia into that of its neighbors. He did this by annexing Silesia, Dresden and East
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After the death of his father in 1740, he began taking advantage of Prussia’s military by occupying the province of Silesia, Austria during the war of Austrian succession. While Maria Theresa was ruling Austria, Frederick made the judgement to annex the region. Austria had been suffering financially and from a weak military. This actions shows his leadership skills as his father Frederick Wilhelm never took advantage of such an opportunity ("Frederick II"). Frederick convinced Austrian leaders to sign a peace treaty during the Convention of Klein-Schnellendorf, that prevented them from fighting to regain the land. Frederick also acquired the Dresden Province with The Treaty of Dresden in 1745. Frederick’s acquisition of Silesia and Dresden gained nearly 20,000 square miles of land and millions of subjects for Prussia. Silesia was considered “The richest of the Hapsburg provinces”, and proved to be more economically valuable to Prussia than any other parts of its territory ("War of the Austrian Succession”). Frederick the Great’s success during the War of Austrian Succession show his military superiority over Maria Theresa who stood no chance to Frederick. Him making this decision also shows how he was better at commanding a military than Wilhelm, as he used his military as an asset by helping to improve
After the death of his father in 1740, he began taking advantage of Prussia’s military by occupying the province of Silesia, Austria during the war of Austrian succession. While Maria Theresa was ruling Austria, Frederick made the judgement to annex the region. Austria had been suffering financially and from a weak military. This actions shows his leadership skills as his father Frederick Wilhelm never took advantage of such an opportunity ("Frederick II"). Frederick convinced Austrian leaders to sign a peace treaty during the Convention of Klein-Schnellendorf, that prevented them from fighting to regain the land. Frederick also acquired the Dresden Province with The Treaty of Dresden in 1745. Frederick’s acquisition of Silesia and Dresden gained nearly 20,000 square miles of land and millions of subjects for Prussia. Silesia was considered “The richest of the Hapsburg provinces”, and proved to be more economically valuable to Prussia than any other parts of its territory ("War of the Austrian Succession”). Frederick the Great’s success during the War of Austrian Succession show his military superiority over Maria Theresa who stood no chance to Frederick. Him making this decision also shows how he was better at commanding a military than Wilhelm, as he used his military as an asset by helping to improve