The King of Prussia, Frederick II (1740-1786), Was a Model of and Enlightened Ruler

The King of Prussia, Frederick II (1740-1786), was a model of an Enlightened ruler. He took his duties as king very seriously.

From Frederick II. Essay on the Forms of Government

A leader must possess an exact and detailed knowledge of the strong and of the weak points of his country. He must know what kinds of resources it has (land, food that can be grown, animals that can be raised, waterways that can be navigated); he must understand the character of the people, and he must be familiar with the national commerce (business and money-making practices).

Rulers should always remind themselves that they are men just like the poorest of their subjects. The sovereign (or leader) is the foremost judge, general, financier (money-manager), and minister of his country, not merely for the sake of glory. Therefore, he should perform with care the duties connected with these offices. He is merely the principal servant of the State (government/country). He must act with honesty and wisdom in such a way that he can be trusted by the people in matters great and small. Consequently, he is guilty if he wastes the money of the people, the taxes which they have paid, on luxurious things such as expensive clothes, art, decorations, and parties. He should improve the morals of the people, be the guardian of the law, and improve their education. A ruler should always set a good example.

The bad policies and leadership which may be found in other monarchies (governments run by a king or queen) springs from many different causes, but their principal cause lies in the character of the ruler. A ruler addicted to power and interested in forcing others to kiss his feet and act on blind or scared loyalty will abuse their power and commit wrongs of every kind.

The leader is the representative of his State. He and his people form a single body. Ruler and ruled can be happy only if they are firmly united. The leader stands to his people in the same relation in which the head stands to the body. He must use his eyes and his brain for the whole community, and act on its behalf to the common advantage. They must be active, hard-working, upright and honest, and concentrate all their strength upon doing what is right for the people. That is my idea of the duties of a leader. (This excerpt has been modified from its original version in The Foundations of Germany, J. Ellis Barker, trans. (New York: E. P. Dutton, 1916), pp. 22-23.)

Answer the following questions in FULL SENTENCES.

1.) Based on what you’ve read about Frederick II of Germany, what are the most important qualities that a good leader should possess?

2.) Based on this line from Frederick II, “…he is guilty if he wastes the money of the people, the taxes which they have paid, on luxurious things such as expensive clothes, art, decorations, and parties. He who should improve the morals of the people, be the guardian of the law, and improve their education. A ruler should always set a good example…” how is the King of Prussia (Frederick II) different from the absolute monarchs like Louis XIV?

3.) What does Frederick II mean by his observation that the leader and the people form a “single body?”

4.) King of Prussia, Pennsylvania, pays tribute to “Frederick the Great,” as he is known in history. Based on what you’ve read about Frederick II as an Enlightened leader, are you proud to live in a part of the world where his legacy lives on? Does he sound like a great leader? Why or why not?