|
|
Article: Frederick II (Prussia) (1712–1786; Ruled 1740–1786)
- Article from:
- Europe, 1450 to 1789: Encyclopedia of the Early Modern World
- Author:
CopyrightCOPYRIGHT 2004 The Gale Group Inc. This material is published under license from the publisher through the Gale Group, Farmington Hills, Michigan. All inquiries regarding rights should be directed to the Gale Group. (Hide copyright information)
|
FREDERICK II (PRUSSIA) (1712
–
1786; ruled 1740
–
1786)
FREDERICK II (PRUSSIA)
(1712
–
1786; ruled 1740
–
1786), king of Prussia. In 1740 the years of general peace that had prevailed in Europe since the conclusion the War of the Spanish Succession (1701
–
1714) came to an end. In May 1740 Frederick William I (ruled 1713
–
1740) died and was succeeded by his son Frederick II (Frederick the Great). In October 1740 Charles VI (ruled 1711
–
1740) of Austria died unexpectedly and was succeeded by his daughter Maria Theresa (1717
–
1780) as sovereign of the Austrian lands. The new Prussian king used the opportunity to seize the rich Austrian province ...