Frederick II of Prussia (1712-1786), better known as Frederick the Great, was one of the most consequential rulers of 18th-century Europe. A scion of the House of Hohenzollern, he came to power in 1740 at the age of 28 and, over the course of a 46-year reign, transformed Prussia from a third-rate backwater into one of the foremost European powers.
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Definition
Timeline
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24 Jan 1712Frederick the Great is born in Berlin, then part of the Kingdom of Prussia.
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5 Aug 1730Crown Prince Frederick is arrested after trying to flee Prussia and his father's tyranny; his accomplice and possible lover, Lt. Katte, is later executed.
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31 May 1740Frederick the Great ascends the throne of Prussia at the age of 28.
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16 Dec 1740Frederick the Great invades the Austrian province of Silesia, triggering the War of the Austrian Succession.
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10 Apr 1741Frederick the Great wins his first battle against the Austrians at the Battle of Mollwitz; the War of the Austrian Succession escalates.
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4 Jun 1745Frederick the Great wins a decisive victory over the Austrians and Saxons at the Battle of Hohenfriedberg.
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25 Dec 1745Treaty of Dresden; Maria Theresa of Austria cedes Silesia to Prussia. In turn, Frederick the Great promises to recognize her as the rightful ruler of the Habsburg monarchy.
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16 Jan 1756Frederick the Great of Prussia forms an alliance with George II of Great Britain.
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29 Aug 1756Frederick the Great invades Saxony.
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5 Nov 1757Battle of Rossbach; Frederick the Great's Prussian army defeats a Franco-Austrian force.
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1772First Partition of Poland; Polish territories are carved up between Frederick the Great of Prussia, Catherine the Great of Russia, and Maria Theresa of Austria.
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16 Aug 1786Death of Frederick the Great at Sanssouci Palace, at the age of 74.
