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Frederick II is born in Berlin to his parents, Frederick William I of Prussia and Princess Sophia-Dorothea.
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Frederick and his best friend, Hans Herman von Katte, attempt to escape to England,in part because of Frederick's miserable home life. Frederick is forced to watch Hans' execution.
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He is forced to remain in Kustrïn and study political administration in preparation for his future leadership.
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Frederick's father arranges for him to marry Elizabeth Christine of Brunswick-Bevern, a purely political alliance. The marriage is ultimately unsuccessful.
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Frederick's father dies and he ascends the throne as King in Prussia, taking over his father's powerful army and funds. He is immediately swept up into the political machinations overtaking Europe.
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Frederick invades the Austrian territory of Silesia without provocation, thus beginning the First Silesian War, which is caught up in the larger War of Austrian Succession. His goal is to expand and unify a Prussian empire.
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Frederick makes peace with Silesia and becomes the ruler of nearly the entire region. Between 1744 and 1745 Austria attempts to retake Silesia from Prussia, but in the Treaty of Dresden, Frederick forces Austrian ruler Maria Theresa to adhere to previous boundaries.
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Hoping to preempt a conspiracy between Prussia's neighboring countries, Frederick invades Saxony, allied with Austria, and begins the Seven Years' War, along with his ally, Great Britain. Despite several victories, the war soon turns into a stalemate for Prussia.
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Frederick signs a treaty along with Russia and Austria that partitions Poland and removes 1/3 of its land area. The three countries divide up the winnings; Prussia gains a number of economically valuable provinces.
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Frederick dies in Potsdam, leaving a legacy of ruling as an "enlightened despot."