Frederick William II, the king of Prussia from 1786 to 1797, had a complex journey to the throne. Initially seen as unfit to rule due to his interests in the arts and his conduct during the French Revolution, Frederick William was kept away from administration. However, once he became king, he proved himself to be a capable ruler, despite his lack of interest in military matters. His domestic policies earned him popularity, but his imposition of the ‘Religious Edict’ in 1788 was met with controversy and failed to achieve its intended goal.
Quick Facts
- German Celebrities Born In September
- Also Known As: Friedrich Wilhelm II
- Died At Age: 53
- Family:
- Spouse/Ex-: Frederica Louisa of Hesse-Darmstadt (m. 1769), Julie von Voss (m. 1787), Elisabeth Christine of Brunswick-Wolfenbüttel – Crown Princess of Prussia (m. 1765 – div. 1769), Sophie von Dönhoff (m. 1790 – sep.1792)
- Father: Prince Augustus William of Prussia
- Mother: Duchess Luise of Brunswick-Wolfenbüttel
- Children: Alexander Mark Frederick William II of Prussia, Christiane Sophie Friederike von Lutzenburg, Frederick WIlliam III, Friederike Christine Amalie Wilhelmine Prinzessin von Preußen, Friedrich Wilhelm – Count Brandenburg, Gustav Adolf Ingenheim, Julie von Brandenburg, Marianne von the Mark, Prince Henry of Prussia, Prince Louis Charles of Prussia, Prince Wilhelm of Prussia, Princess Augusta of Prussia, Princess Frederica Charlotte of Prussia, stillborn son von Hohenzollern, Ulrike Sophie von Berckholzen, unnamed daughter von Hohenzollern, Wilhelmine of Prussia – Queen of the Netherlands
- Born Country: Germany
- Emperors & Kings
- German Men
- Died on: November 16, 1797
- Place of death: Marmorpalais, Potsdam, Germany
- City: Berlin, Germany
Childhood & Early Life
Frederick William was born on September 25, 1744, in Stadtschloss in Berlin, the Prussian capital, to Prince Augustus William of Prussia and Duchess Luise of Brunswick-Wolfenbüttel. His uncle, Frederick the Great, was childless, so when Augustus William died in 1758, Frederick William became the heir-presumptive. He grew up enjoying materialistic pleasures and developed a love for the arts, particularly music. He owned a private orchestra and was a skilled cello player. However, his artistic pursuits were criticized by Frederick the Great, who believed they would hinder his ability to rule.
His Ascension to the Throne & His Reign
Frederick William was crowned king on August 17, 1786. As king, he implemented several schemes to benefit his subjects, including reducing taxes, encouraging trade, and constructing roads and canals. He also lifted the ban on the German language and welcomed German writers to the Prussian Academy. He reformed the oppressive French tax-collecting system and ended monopolies in certain industries. Under his rule, “The General State Laws for the Prussian States” was completed in 1794.
Religious Reforms and Opposition
Frederick William appointed Johann Christoph von Wöllner as a privy councilor for finance and granted him significant authority. Wöllner implemented religious reforms, including censorship on publishers and supervision of appointments in churches and educational organizations. These reforms aimed to protect Christianity and establish Prussia as a stable Christian state. However, they faced opposition and were not entirely successful.
Military Reforms and Foreign Policies
Frederick William implemented military reforms and pursued foreign policies that benefited Prussia. However, the state’s financial situation hindered his plans. He participated in campaigns and signed alliances, but the lack of funds affected his ability to intervene in European affairs. His meeting with Emperor Leopold II and his promise to support Louis XVI of France were met with skepticism due to his artistic temperament and weak finances.
Acquisition of Territories and Cultural Boom
Prussia acquired territories through the partition of Poland, but this severely drained the state’s resources. Despite financial difficulties, Frederick William’s reign witnessed a cultural boom. He encouraged painting, architecture, theater, and music. Berlin became a cultural center, and he had a close relationship with composers such as Mozart and Beethoven.
Family, Personal Life & Death
Frederick William had two marriages and multiple affairs. His first marriage to Elisabeth Christine of Brunswick-Wolfenbüttel ended in divorce. He then married Frederica Louisa of Hesse-Darmstadt and had seven children with her. He also had an affair with Wilhelmine Enke, who became his mistress and had five children with her. He had two morganatic marriages, which resulted in seven children. Frederick William died on November 16, 1797, and was succeeded by his son, Frederick William III.