3060 - Frederick the Great: King of Prussia
Course Description
IN PERSON: Frederick the Great succeeded to the Prussian throne in May 1740 and reigned until his death on August 17, 1786. Six months after his succession to the throne, he invaded Austrian territory and ignited the spark that would start the War of the Austrian Succession. He was arguably the most brilliant monarch in Europe. He turned Brandenburg-Prussia from a third-rate power into the largest and most powerful German state. He accomplished this by increasing Prussian territory, first by the force of arms and later by diplomacy. This lecture course will examine Frederick the Great's turbulent years as a child and young adult and his pursuit of aggressive policies in war and diplomacy that resulted in Prussia becoming a first-rate European power. Students will learn about how Frederick the Great influenced the geopolitical situation in Europe in the 18th century. | Lecture + Q&A.
Max enrollment: 30.