Frederick the Great. How great was he really?

[Csargo]

How skilled of a military commander was he really? If you look at the Seven Years' War, Frederick lost as many battles as he won. If it wasn't for the " Miracle of the House of Brandenburg" and Russia's withdraw from the war, it's quite likely Prussia would have lost the war and his gains in Silesia and more.

Now I'm not trying to say that he was an incompetent commander or leader. I just want to know if maybe we give him more credit than he is actually due. Your thoughts?

[Evil_Maniac From Mars]

I don't have plenty of time for a detailed analysis, but I would say that he is slightly overrated as a military commander. While he lost a fair amount of battles, the tactical genius he showed at battles such as Rossbach and various other military victories make up for them in my mind at least. I am also of the opinion that much like Alexander, he owes much of his military fortunes to his father's love of the military. Most of his real accomplishments were related to the Enlightenment - the palace at Sanssouci, political reforms, religious tolerance, and the arts.

[Lord Winter]

I've always thought his military exploits have managed to overshadow many his greater achievements. He managed to reform Prussia and give it highly efficient bureaucracy, revolutionized the economy and introuduced many enlightenment principles into the country.

Russia's withdrawal from the 7YW does not lessen his sucess at all. He managed to last against three major powers of Europe for seven years with little aid. No matter the outcome, the amount of time he lasted is a vestment to his skill.

[Alexander the Pretty Good]

What's funny is I got a big old biography of Frederick the Great out of the library but only got maybe a quarter of the way in. :sweatdrop: But I'd echo EMM's comment in saying that his cultural and political contributions are at least as much as why he is labeled "Great" as his military accomplishments.

And Napoleon thought he was awesome, for what it's worth. :P

[Csargo]

I don't have plenty of time for a detailed analysis, but I would say that he is slightly overrated as a military commander. While he lost a fair amount of battles, the tactical genius he showed at battles such as Rossbach and various other military victories make up for them in my mind at least. I am also of the opinion that much like Alexander, he owes much of his military fortunes to his father's love of the military. Most of his real accomplishments were related to the Enlightenment - the palace at Sanssouci, political reforms, religious tolerance, and the arts.

From what I've read, besides the battle of Rossbach, the tactics he employed were basically the same. Which lead to some stunning victories and losses. I agree with you about that he owes a great deal to his father's military reforms and institution of different drills for the soldiers. Though you have to wonder what he was thinking about here: link (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Potsdam_Giants).



Russia's withdrawal from the 7YW does not lessen his sucess at all. He managed to last against three major powers of Europe for seven years with little aid. No matter the outcome, the amount of time he lasted is a vestment to his skill.

After the Battle of Rossbach the French greatly reduced their troop and monetary support of Austria, and effectively left only Russia and Austria against Prussia. While that's still a fairly great achievement, but I still say that Frederick would have lost the war if Isabella hadn't died and left Peter III to take the throne of Russia.


And Napoleon thought he was awesome, for what it's worth.

Yeah. "If he were alive, we would not be here."

[Romanus]

The Silesian wars and the seven years war where won by the army of Frederick William. Jena/auerstadt was lost by the army Frederick the great left behind.

It's true that he won some brilliant victories like Leuthen and Rossbach but most of his battles where won by sheer bloody mindedness.