Compare And Contrast King Frederick The Great Of Prussia

King Frederick the Great of Prussia displayed similarities throughout his rule to the Russian King, Peter with his military tactics and taxation. During his reign, King Frederick established a great standing army and financed his army by imposing permanent taxation (Wallbank). A strong army was needed to protect the Prussian land and King Frederick built the best standing army in Europe, consisting of 80,000 men. In order to fund his military, Frederick continued permanent taxation on his people. Similarly, King Peter modernized his army of 200,000 men and levied heavy taxes to support his large army (Wallbank). Under his rule, Peter I made the position of a soldier a lifetime job, contributing to his substantial army. As a result to constructing an immense military, Peter enforced an onerous tax on the people. Likewise, both rulers developed large militia and instituted taxes to asset their armies.
Through the Rise of Prussia, “the Great Elector and his descendants moved toward absolute monarchy” (Wallbank 1201). The Great Elector was Frederick William, whose son was Frederick I. The Prussian kings continued moving toward absolute monarchy in order to protect their land. Unlike the Prussians, William and Mary recognized Parliament as a partner in governing by agreeing to a constitutional monarchy (Wallbank). As a constitutional monarchy, the rulers were limited power by the laws. Together, William and Mary would govern England with Parliament. Overall, King Frederick I contrasted with William II and Mary II because Frederick was an absolute monarch, whereas William and Mary were constitutional monarchs, who ruled with