Frederick William I

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Frederick William I (1688–1740) King of Prussia (1713–40). Succeeding his father, Frederick I, he strengthened the army and economy and centralized the government, laying the basis for the rise of Prussia as a great power. He treated his son, the future Frederick II (the Great), with brutality, but bequeathed him a full treasury and the finest army in Europe.

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Frederick William I

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