Frederick William I of Prussia
1688–1740 · Prussian (Berlin/Potsdam) · Early Modern Prussia
Known for: 'The Soldier King' who built the Prussian army and created the bureaucratic state—father of Frederick the Great whom he tormented
Frederick William I was the opposite of his son—where Frederick the Great loved music and philosophy, FW1 loved soldiers and ledgers. He built the Prussian army into Europe's most efficient force, created a modern bureaucracy, and saved obsessively. He collected tall soldiers for his 'Potsdam Giants' regiment.
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