Frederick William the Great Elector

Once upon a time there lived King Frederick William the Great Elector.

But the future of Prussia seemed bleak from the foreign troops that had taken over Prussia, leaving the country in turmoil after the Thirty Year’s War. The nation was also amid many foreign conflicts, such as that of the Swedes and the Habsburgs, desperately trying to escape the clashes. The country also struggled with numerous internal problems. The lack of resources and food demonstrated the grim state of the nation. Facing many economical problems, Prussia was financially weak compared to the other European countries.

However, the young and intelligent King had began raising a military and formulating plans to help Prussia thrive on a world-wide scale. The old King had passed the throne down to him, by the hereditary system. As a Calvinist, Frederick William I also believed that ruling was his God-given duty.

Since youth, the brilliant King was fascinated by the study of economics and military knowledge. He also demonstrated a great political understanding and diplomacy. Even the advisors of the old King predicted he would make a superb ruler.

King Frederick ruled his lands as an absolutist. He saw his citizens as a group of people completely under his control.

Interestingly, King Frederick did listen to his advisors, but he made all of the important decisions, such as the political alliances he formed and establishing factories.

King Frederick tolerated all religions. He grew up in the calvinist branch of protestantism. He even accepted an exodus of Protestants that had their rights taken away when Louis XIV revoked the Edict of Nantes.

King Frederick solved problems excellently.

He combatted the issue of a small population with a smaller, but very efficient military.

He also fought the privileges of the provincial estates by changing the manner in which he taxed them. He made it so that they would have to pay however much he needed. He used this money for important military funds.

Frederick William the Great Elector strengthened the military by a lot.

He set up an efficient system of government → a bureaucracy.

He improved the economy by establishing factories with money from taxes and the mercantilist model. He also unified the territories of Prussia. He helped Prussia become a world power.

Bibliography :

Alexander. “All Religions.” Soda Head. N.p., n.d. Web. 26 Feb. 2016.
<http://www.sodahead.com/living/all-religions/question-3900819/>.

“Frederick William (Brandenburg).” Encyclopedia.com. Ed. Karl A. Roider. 2004
ed. Gale Group, n.d. Web. 26 Feb. 2016. <http://www.encyclopedia.com/
topic/Frederick_William.aspx>.

“Frederick William, Elector of Brandenburg.” Wikipedia. Wikipedia, n.d. Web. 26
Feb. 2016. <https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/
Frederick_William,_Elector_of_Brandenburg>.

Kapochunas, Andrew. “19th Century and earlier Town Views and Plans: K – M.”
LithuanianMaps.com. N.p., n.d. Web. 26 Feb. 2016.
<http://lithuanianmaps.com/TownViewsK-M.html>.
“The Rise of Brandenburg-Prussia under the Hohenzollerns.” Mount Holyoke. N.p.,
n.d. Web. 26 Feb. 2016. <https://www.mtholyoke.edu/courses/rschwart/
hist151/lectures/LectureBrandenburg-Prussia2010.html>.

Skalweit, Stephan. “Frederick William.” Encyclopaedia Britannica. N.p., n.d.
Web. 19 Feb. 2016. <http://www.britannica.com/biography/
Frederick-William-elector-of-Brandenburg>.