'A first rate military leader and a second class ruler' How valid is this judgement of Frederick the Great?
‘A first rate military leader and a second class ruler’
How valid is this judgement of Frederick the Great?
Thje historian Cowie called FTG a ‘miloitary genius’. He is not alone inthis opinion, even napeloan have [raisedFTG as a leader. Indeed h was succesful in two major wars between 1740 and 1763, earned himself a great military reputation at the timea nd accuired jey areas of land such as silesian and west prussia by his death. So was he then a first-rate military leader? Moreover , was he a second class ruler? Much of his domestic policy had been criticised. Education eform was better in theory than practice, serfdom was not abolished, governmnet remained unreformed, hes ecoonomic policies were old fashioned and the nobiltiys regained oo much power. Indeed FTG left a problomatic legacy fot his untrained successo. Evidence seems to support the quote but there were areas of weaknessin the foreign policy and indeed areas of success in his domestic affairs.
In support of the statement, there is evidence in FTG major success with Foreign policy to suggest that he was a first rate military leader. The Austrian wars of succession 1740-48, saw seven countries embroiled on a huge scale war. FTG major victories were at Molowitz and Chotisitz. Mollowiz, was a huge victory for Prussia because they, even though in the face of a huge army from Mt, were successful. Chotisitz was also a success when the Prussian army defeated the Austrians. Even though successes for Prussia, the battle of Mollowitz was personally humiliating for Frederick. He ran way from the battle and left his troops to fight because he believed in the face of Mt army, the Prussians would lose. So even though it was a military victory, this does not show that FTG was a first rate military leader. However the treaty of Aix la Chapelle was an amazing overall victory for FTG because it recognisd Prussias claime to silesia. Silesia was a valuble area beause it provided a buffer zone for Prussia, it also cxontaind valuble natura resources that could be expolited and fund prussias ambitious expansion. The seven years war was also a period of successes shown through Luthen and Rossbach, where FTG the Prussian army won battles with armies greater in size than their own. In these battles the oblique army formation was used, which took the opposing side by surprise and forced them to change formation which ultimately weakened their position allowing the Prussian army to attack and win. It was times like these where FTG really demonstrated his skill as an army commander. He would personally lead his troops into battle, which showed dedication and leadership to his troops. FTG had some success with the peace treaties. Hubertsburg signed between Prussia and Austria allowed Prussia to temporarily keep Silesia. FTG did prove to be a good military leader and there is evidence to prove that the country increased in size and population due to his gains in territory through foreign affairs.
