Frederick William “The Great Elector”

                                                                                                               

      Lifespan: 1620-1688
     Time he “ruled”: 1640-1688
     Predecessor: N/A (he started the Prussian “Empire”)
     Successor: Frederick William 1
     Wife: Louise Henriette of Nasau and Sophia Dorothea of Schleswig-Holstein-Sonderburg-Glücksburg
     Pros: Strong army, weakened power of representative assemblies of territories
     Cons: Rigidly controlled society, permanent taxation

    How he took Power

    He formed a small army and used it to rise to become the leader of his house, displayed his forces in the Great Northern War, which ended with him having full sovereignty over the duchy of Prussia.
    He removed the noble’s control over each estate’s taxation and finances. (He didn’t actually achieve absolute power in his life, but he laid the groundwork so that his predecessors may achieve absolute
    power). He also rebuilt towns and cities.

    Goals

        Foreign

    -He wanted to conquer all of Pomerania, and gain more lands for Prussia, as well as claim its sovereignty from the Holy Roman Empire. (Become independent from any other foriegn powers as well). He      wanted to advance his house’s interests by always joining the weaker side in any conflict. (His future successors would follow suit in this policy).
    -He followed a policy known as “Bradenburg’s intermittent fever” (made sure that no country/countries could gain predominance over other countries).

        Domestic

    -He wanted to create a large standing army, proper tax reforms, centralize political administration, rebuild many towns and cities, and form a sovereign, bureaucratic, abolitionist state.

    Achievments

    -Established a sovereign Prussian state which would eventually lead to a united Germany. He also restored the traditional rights of the Estates of Prussia and Cleves and Mark and granted the Estates of
     Brandenburg additional privileges in exchange for a monetary contribution.

    Troubles

    -First Northern war, Bradenburg was filled with foreign troops when he first came to power, Battle of Warsaw, and the Grand Alliance.

    Wars and Rivals

    First Northern war
      -Sweden
    Battle of Warsaw
      Polish-Lithuania
    The Grand Alliance
      -France (Louis XIV)

    Fun Facts