Enlightenment and Absolutism — a despot's domestic and foreign policy

Answer

Frederick II of Prussia, king from 1740 to 1786; called himself "the first servant of the state."

Answer

He ended its use almost immediately after taking the throne in 1740, fully abolishing it by the 1750s.

Answer

Frederick's rational, uniform legal code for Prussia, begun under him and completed in 1794 (after his death).

Answer

He allowed Catholics, Protestants and Jews to practise their faith, saying people could "seek salvation in his own way" — though he kept the Lutheran church tied to the state.

Answer

Promoted the potato as a famine-resistant crop and drained the Oder river marshland (from 1747) to create new farmland.

Answer

Abolished it on his own royal estates but left it largely intact on noble (Junker) land to keep the army's officer class loyal.

Answer

Frederick's palace retreat at Potsdam where he hosted Voltaire and pursued music, philosophy and writing — evidence of genuine Enlightenment engagement.

Answer

Frederick's invasion of the Austrian province of Silesia, exploiting the succession crisis around Maria Theresa.

Answer

Austria and France, traditional enemies, allied against Prussia; Frederick struck first, starting the Seven Years' War.

Answer

Prussia nearly collapsed fighting Austria, France, Russia and Sweden, but survived after Russia's Empress Elizabeth died and her successor made peace.

Answer

Through the First Partition of Poland, negotiated diplomatically with Austria and Russia rather than through war.

Answer

Domestic reforms show genuine Enlightenment influence (law, toleration, agriculture) while foreign policy shows old-style dynastic conquest (Silesia, Poland) — the debate is how far "enlightened" really applies.