Frederick II of Prussia was born on 24 January 1712 in Berlin. King of Prussia, Frederick II, known as Frederick the Great, transformed his kingdom into a major European military power. He seized Silesia from Austria at the outset of his reign, in the War of the Austrian Succession, and survived a coalition of Austria, France and Russia in the Seven Years' War, aided by his military skill and by the sudden withdrawal of Russia. A proponent of enlightened absolutism, he promoted religious tolerance, legal reform and the arts. He played the flute and composed music, corresponded with Voltaire, and wrote on history and philosophy. His palace of Sanssouci in Potsdam became a symbol of his reign.
Before and after
- October 1710Founding of New Bern
- 26 April 1711Birth of David Hume
- from 5 August 1711 to 12 September 1711Siege of Bouchain
- from 10 September 1711 to 11 February 1715Tuscarora War
- 24 January 1712Birth of Frederick II of Prussia
- May 1712Construction of Peter and Paul Cathedral
- 28 June 1712Birth of Jean-Jacques Rousseau
- 1713Peace of Utrecht
- 1713Pragmatic Sanction of 1713
More in Wars, politics & history
- from 1524 to 1525German Peasants' War
- from 1568 to 1918Russo-Turkish Wars
- 1689Bill of Rights 1689
- 30 April 1707Acts of Union 1707
- 30 August 1721Treaty of Nystad
- from 10 October 1733 to 3 October 1735War of the Polish Succession
The era
This moment belongs to the Early modern world (1500 CE to 1760 CE), voyages, printing and new ideas. You can also browse everything in the 18th century.