The Rise of Prussia | The Life & Times of Frederick the Great

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This is the second Frederick the second I’ve talked about on this channel, ain’t that neat? Frederick II of Prussia was the son of Frederick William of Prussia and the grandson of George I of England on his mom’s side, ooh I am just full of trivia. Now Frederick’s parents had some pretty different opinions about parenting. When his mother learned that her eldest daughter was being physically beaten by her tutor everyday, uh, she hired a different tutor. Frederick’s father… preferred to do the beating himself. But despite his troubled upbringing, Frederick would go on to become a progressive leader and one of the 18th century's greatest generals.
Music (in order of appearance):
Grieg - Nocturne Op. 54 no. 4
Mozart - Sonata for Harpsichord Four Hands in C Major, K19 I. Allegro
Kevin Macleod - Hidden Past
Beethoven - Piano Concerto no. 3 II. Largo
2Unlimited - Jump for Joy (karaoke)
Queen - Don't Stop me Now (Sangah Noona Jazz cover)
Samuel Coleridge-Taylor - Symphony in A Minor II. Lament
Johan Strauss Sr. - Radetzky March
Offenbach - Gallop Infernal (aka The Can Can)

[@JackRackam]

Start speaking a new language in 3 weeks with Babbel 🎉. Get up to 65% OFF your subscription ▶️ HERE: go.babbel.com/1200m65-youtube-jackrackam-june-2022/default Some of you may remember my video from last summer explaining how I wanted to study a language of your choice. This sketch style of brand integration seems to be a lot more popular than me coming up front to talk about a product, but in the interest of following up on my last partnership with Babble, here are my thoughts. First of all, I was surprised to find that the most liked comment was for me to learn Portuguese! The first thing I learned about Portuguese is that it sounds really weird, there have been times I've heard Portuguese and thought it was Spanish, thought it was French, thought the accent even sounded Russian at times, I thought the Brazilian Emperor's names had prepared me for pronunciation but it turns out that actually, no. There were a few words I was glad I was regularly being made to spell out, since I could reliably hear/speak them but it took a lot of practice to associate them with the correct spelling. Like I said in the video, I think the way Babble introduces words is really smart, it worked for me better to have a sentence where, say, I'm filling in the blank with the word for clothes in Portuguese with the English translation visible below, but hey what's that over there, that must be the word for shoes, isn't that neat? And then when the word for shoes comes up later I go oh yeah I remember that conversation those two strangers had about their shoes, very nice sapatos you've got there! It also makes the early lessons feel a lot less shoehorned so that every conversation isn't verbatim “Hello! How are you?” “Hello! I am well. Thank you! How are you?” “I am American. Thank you! What is your name?”. Also, I don't think I am _ever_ going to stop mis-translating “ele” as “she”. The only difficulty I can remember running into are a couple cases where it can be difficult to tell if the different speakers are giving me the Portuguese/Brazilian pronunciation respectively (such as pertaining to when an s is spoken like in English vs more of an sh/zh sound) since the male speaker will consistently say it one way and the female speaker will say it another, so the distinction between dialect and idiolect becomes a bit fuzzy. All in all, pretty positive experience - obviously signing up for a semester of Portuguese is a bit beyond the scope of my budget, but I think Babbel strikes the right balance between using enough of the language that you're learning to appreciate how everything fits together in context while keeping your native language around long enough that it's clear what you're meant to be doing (I think back to my first year of high school where the questions weren't particularly challenging but for the fact that the instructions were entirely in a language I couldn't comprehend).

[@arnijulian6241]

Prussia along with the Holy Roman empire was a weird place. Far more interesting then Germany that just became very very naughty & crazy hopped up kokain.

[@GermanConquistador08]

Frederick the Great was NOT a Homosexual. Homo-Sexual implies that Frederick held sexual attraction and committed sexual acts with Men. There is no credible historical evidence that this was the case. The contemporary view of Frederick - especially from those who knew him best, his Generals - was that he was Asexual Misogynist with deep interest in Classical Culture, not a homosexual. From a psychological standpoint: Frederick suffered physical abuse as a child, he experienced the death of his best friend - Katte, the one mentioned - whom he may have held sexual attraction to, but for European Royalty who were rarely left alone there would have been little opportunity for Frederick to engage in illicit relationships with Katte and there's no evidence that he did. If Frederick had any homosexual tendencies, they most likely died with Katte. His personal doctor also attests Frederick's allowance and spreading of homosexual rumor was part of a self-delusion owing to a lack of sexual function despite lack of sexual damage. This is actually common with those who suffered significant abuse as a child and/or young adult - Which Frederick did. The most inherently insulting aspect of this mistake is this: Frederick was a Great man who suffered from abuse and mental problems. And instead of this reality being the narrative: Biased perspectives have turned this into something it wasn't - A story about sexuality. The only sources we have attesting to Frederick's sexuality are two - French sources, which can be almost never trusted when discussing German matters. Especially Voltaire, who's primary sources "outing" Frederick as a homosexual come only during a stint where Voltaire was exiled from Frederick's court - specifically for making near treasonous, slanderous rumors about the King himself. Voltaire would NOT repeat these accusations after he and Frederick reconciled. The second are modern, politically motivated LGBT narratives which seek to revise Frederickan history for their own purposes. Similar to how Alexander the Great is portrayed as Homosexual when he was Bisexual at best and more likely simply deeply close to his male friends in a completely acceptable manner to Pre-Christian, European societies. The tendency to sexualize where there is no sexuality is a MODERN aspect of historiography and one which must be eliminated for the purposes of objective history. It is not only an insult to the life of Historical Figures, but also to the Historical Community who only suffers when modern politics is brought in to change what we know to be objective history. Jack - You were historically inaccurate and clearly pandering to put Frederick holding an LGBT flag, whose philosophy and ideals would have been totally alien to the man even if he held a homosexual identity, which again there is no credible evidence to suggest that he did. You will likely not change this for the sake of the algorithm, but just note this: You have perpetuated historical ignorance and this deserves a correction.

[@unroem9912]

@@GermanConquistador08 nice essay. Unfortunately for you, has been disproven many times. Read up on Algarotti and Fredersdorff. Every authoritative Prussian historian from Clark to Blanning agrees that Frederick maintained his interest in men long after Katte's death.

[@arnijulian6241]

​@@GermanConquistador08 I have no horse in this race as a stright Godless Limey. Fredrick the 2nd was very likely a shirt lifter though it is not certain. From what p0rimary sources I read Fred certainly doesn't seem act like a heterosexual man. I'd comfortably estimate 4 to 5 Fred was a back door poker. GermanConquistador08 i can see by your profile that you are fan boy for that time period but the continental's especially the French where common place Aris ticklers The British isles on the other hand always looked poorly upon such even today. They are permitted but not approved Though personally I do not care so long as any fancies are kept behind closed doors out of aight thus mind. I expect the same of gays & such as I would stright couples. Keep your private business precisely such; Private! Honestly If you take any advice from me never beat children as it messes up their loafs. My grand dad taught me to box but he was never cruel & my father though unbelievably stubborn never lifted a finger to me. I am very much a red blooded man though my health gets in the way of such pursuits. Can get it up but am out for days you see. My brother on the other hand was beaten & hit by both my grandmothers & is why I think he ended up both suicidal & bi-sexual though I would never discuss such with him. He has little temperament & anything of the past makes him distraught. He hates my father though he has no idea of his preferences, I will not explain further but you can make sense of this yes? Never leave a young child around those that are cruel. I had violence inflicted on me as a child being a mute till 7 but it was never from my own/those I trust being family. My face is scarred but it is from strangers & thus I am chipper but the youthful hurt by their own & not strangers become messed up to say the least!

[@brokenbridge6316]

This video was delightfully funny. Nice job Jack. I really hope you actually do Bismarck next. I think many of your fans would love to hear what you have to say about him.

[@theprofessionalfence-sitter]

Fun story: allegedly, Maria Theresa once secretly tried to sell parts of her husband's painting collection that she considered to be too obscene. Friedrich bought them all and put them on display in his guest's palace.

[@JackRackam]

I love everything about this story

[@mrgopnik5964]

Man, it’s so unfortunate they didn’t get married, that relationship would have been so interesting to document. An absolute juggernaut on a professional level and completely disfunctional on a personal level.

[@connormclernon26]

@@mrgopnik5964 but Ol’ Freddy was gay

[@MrHodoAstartes]

@@connormclernon26 You can tolerate a woman for a little Austria-Hungary.

[@alexandermackie7621]

@@MrHodoAstartes Lay back and think of empire?

[@joshuaevans6295]

It's really remarkable this guy didn't turn into Caligula.

[@JackRackam]

No kidding!

[@compatriot852]

Would have been funny seeing an alternate universe where Prussia declares war on the sea

[@theodosiusii408]

@@compatriot852 or make a horse a duke

[@MasonGreenWeed]

@@compatriot852 Sealesia and Seaxony

[@fuadlabib703]

@@theodosiusii408 oy why are talking shit about Glitterhoof huh?

[@marinusvonzilio9628]

Frederick's marriage with Elisabeth was actually even sadder than depicted here. Frederick did not mistreat her and on rare occasions they were together he was cordial, if cold. But Elisabeth herself was actually genuinely devoted to him, and remained so until his death. In fact, upon his death she remarked about all the "false friends" Frederick had, condemning them for "separating him from those who were devoted to him heart and soul" (which was almost certainly an allusion to what happened when Frederick was the Crown-Prince). In addition to genuinely loving her husband she was also a person with a keen mind, which actually might have made her appealing as a potential friend to Frederick had he not been forced to marry her. She even wrote and translated political literature and Frederick included her contributions into his library. Frederick himself in his will demanded that his successors and family treat Elisabeth with the utmost respect and he provided generously for the maintenance of her household, but this was more because of etiquette and her position in society rather than any genuine feelings on his part.

[@blenderbanana]

It is touching that the domestic abuse sincerely died with William-1. Thanks for sharing what happened with Elisibeth of Brunswick.

[@franjay5585]

From what I have studied of the man he humiliated her often and he was seriously brutal. I don’t think labelling it as “cold” does the situation justice, sure he was cold but it was also contemptuous

[@blenderbanana]

@@franjay5585 Oh?

[@achaeanmapping4408]

@@franjay5585 if that's true then the misogynist claims might make a bit more sense

[@blenderbanana]

@@achaeanmapping4408 A misogynist would have abused her in his Will, apparantly he made sure she was well provisioned after his death.

[@3st3st77]

Fun fact: Since the castle he built is a great tourist attraction but praising him as a conqueror of land that is now part of Poland wasn’t deemed a good idea, people got creative about what else could be said about him. One thing that they found (apart from what was mentioned in the video) was that he introduced potatoes to Prussia. Due to this fact, he is now commonly referred to as “That potato guy” and tourists lay down potatoes at his grave.

[@darkhorseman90]

Weird fun fact, his contribution to the potato crops in Prussia would eventually lead to potatoes becoming a food source in France during the French Revolution.

[@herocommand]

it's not ''that potatoe guy'' we call him the potato king, that nickname also had nothing to do with trying to avoid praising him as a conqueror , as he's still praised for that today, it was just one of his nicknames, along with ''old Fritz''.

[@beanofknowledge2125]

To be fair, Potatoes are really good

[@fiendish9474]

@@beanofknowledge2125 also nutritious

[@maltemeyer3171]

We don't have to praise him for carving up Poland. We praise him for bullying this pescy mountain germans.

[@noahjohnson935]

Catherine the Great and Frederick the Great did actually get along very well Frederick probably knew what Catherine went through with her mother. Catherine's mom was Frederick's dads equal in being awful. Frederick treated her as an intellectual equal, and with respect and kindness. Only met once in person because he doesn't swing that way but they did keep writing each other to my knowledge

[@hopekeeley2122]

She was also pretty young at the time. When she went to his court he reported back to empress Elizabeth of russia that she was learned and pretty and would make a fine match for her nephew Peter (arguable since she deposed him and mighttttttt have had him killed, take that with a grain of salt though it was probably her ministers) in order to curry favor with Russia during the musical chairs alliance phase

[@brokenbridge6316]

Nice to know these two had a nice friendship going.

[@blenderbanana]

@@brokenbridge6316 Tag-Teaming Poland was pretty dark.

[@brokenbridge6316]

@@blenderbanana---I won't argue there. Poland was much weakened by this time and although it's king was trying to correct it. He was defeated at every turn. Poland losing it's sovereignty was the straw that broke the camels back.

[@GonzaloDaveloza]

@@brokenbridge6316 Hardly, they were just not openly aggressive and conducted themselves politely, but talked shit of each other in private and would not have doubt to get on if the circumstances merited it, the European powers leaders of the period were entirely focused in their own gain (which makes sense anyway), countless alliances were screwed that way.

[@sinsemarrow9573]

Frederick's dad Frederick William is even weirder than this video lets on. He was completely obsessed with tall soldiers. He recruited an entire regiment of guys that to be at least 1.88m (6 ft 2). He received them as gifts from other monarchs and he even tried to breed them by giving his tall soldiers tall wives. According to the french ambassador he once said: "The most beautiful girl or woman in the world would be a matter of indifference to me, but tall soldiers-they are my weakness" I do dislike the idea that extreme homophobes are just self-hating gay people, but it doesn't seem too farfetched in the case of Frederick William

[@herocommand]

Wouldnt put to much weight in what french ambassadors had to say about germans (or the other way around) before well basically post ww2 as both sides hated eachother so much that slander was pretty common throughout history. As for the tall soldier thing while wierd that was for the royal guard regiment and he thought them being 1,90 m would look more intimidating to his visitors and the whole breeding stuff is also only a assumption and once again came from a french source ( as far as i know you cna correct me though).

[@redcoat4348]

yeah I don't really think the obsession with tall soldiers was a gay thing, in this case it was probably a weird quirk like Idi Amin's obsession with kilts and bagpipes

[@feuerderveranderung6056]

Friedrich Wilhelm was actualy even weirder: As a kid he requested front holidays, meaning he requested to visit the prussian troops during a war. He build up the prussian army, but never went to war, since that would damage his precious army. Let a statue be made where he is potrayed in uniform and with an potbelly. At the other hand he was also an workaholic, reformed the prussian burocracy, taxation, draft, build an massiv amount of schools, managed an estate and an regiment when he was 10(?) and payed of all of prussias debts.

[@cseijifja]

@@feuerderveranderung6056 that just sounds he understood the army should be pristine and used it effectively as an army-in-being, no one wants to fight you if you are like that. Best way to use the army really, you dont want casualties on it, especially if you can't really replace those casualties, wich is what happened to his son when he used them.

[@Borderose]

Oh, yes. Both his sons were gay. I say he's a definite contributing factor.

[@absolutelyalice1754]

I love that Frederick calls his wife Eleanor when her name was Elisabeth. That makes me giggle so much. In other news, his mother really did love him (she and Wilhemina burned 600-700 out of the 12000 compromising letters of his planned escape and replaced them with boring uncompromising forged ones) and they had a close relationship. A story goes that once his father forbad him and Wilhemina from seeing her without his supervision or permission and they had to do it in secret. Once their dad walked in and the two of them had to hide in the furniture. I like to think he and Wilhemina were in a wardrobe and his sister saying, "Not the first closet you've been in, eh?" He also had a good relationship with Catherine the Great having met her before she left Prussia for Russia. He invited her and her mother to visit and threw a party for them. Her mom, Joanna, thought that the king would not want to meet Catherine and that Joanna was the more important and would lie and say she was sick. He would ask for Catherine until her mom admitted that that Catherine couldn't see him because she didn't have any proper clothes. (Joanna decided to use money that the Russian court sent for her wardrobe and didn't get anything for Catherine.) So Frederick lent Catherine some of his sister's dresses and the two of them discussed politics and French literature all night. The two of them would keep in correspondance for the rest of his life.

[@superxDification]

Petitioning for an episode on August (von) Willich the Prussian army officer, turned revolutionary, turned Union general, who once challenged Karl Marx to a duell for not being Communist enough.

[@legiohysterius4624]

WAIT What what WHAAAT legio hysterius.exe Has encountered an error downloading this data to the main drive.

[@hithedragon7842]

That sounds like it would be a *great* episode

[@RaptorJesus]

I f'ing love how crazy Prussians could be. They're never normal.

[@janiwersen9417]

what the actual f*ck i think my brain just stopped working. But wow i would want to see that.

[@discountplaguedoctor88]

This I HAVE to hear about.

[@VerrouSuo]

“out the gate first servant of state / oblique attack tactics ain’t exactly straight!” IT ALL MAKES SENSE NOW!

[@sars910]

I've got creative talents and battle malice Hard as steel on the field, genteel in the palace

[@cjsmalley5506]

@@sars910 Russia's messed up/ no wonder why

[@rocky-nm5wf]

@@sars910 Russia's fucked up no wonder why

[@marcustulliuscicero5443]

Russias ****ed up and no wonder why with your tundras and taigas and bears, oh my

[@carydorse705]

I'd pay a guy To tear out my eyes If I had to look at your troll face every night

[@HoH]

Bismarck next? I might be falling in love. Hope that won't end the way Katte did.

[@rickyhunt4075]

He already did that didn't he?

[@warlordofbritannia]

Just look up how Bismarck spent his free time It definitely wouldn’t end like Katte

[@HoH]

@@warlordofbritannia, I was referring to Jack's dad (and whether he's prone to beheading people)😂. But yeah, even as a young adult, Bismarck was a notorious duellist and troublemaker. You are right about him never being put in that position.

[@warlordofbritannia]

@@HoH Oh, I figured you knew what Bismarck was up to anyways, just wanted to cryptically and purposefully misread your comment 😂

[@steffanyschwartz7801]

@@HoH he also lead a peasant army to Berlin to try and end the 1848 revolution

[@luisdergroe8944]

His corpse actually made quite the journey. After the bombings all coffins of Prussian kings were brought to safety in 1943. but realizing that the soviets would get him if he was returned, the west kidnapped the dead king in 1946. The communists always wanted him returned, but the federal republic kept on to him until 1991 when east Germany collapsed.

[@riograndedosulball248]

German Kings/Emperors cannot catch a single damn break after dying. Wilhelm the II is still in Doorn, Frederick was moved all around Germany, Holy Roman Emperor Otto had his coffin temporarily turned into a watering post for horses while St Peter's Cathedral was being renovated, the list goes on

[@connormclernon26]

In his will, he wished for the funeral to be a quiet, low attendance affair and be buried at Sans Souci. Instead, they made it a big dog and pony show. It was only in 1991 that he finally got his wish, that the Republic of Deutschland gave him the quiet, low-key funeral he wanted

[@windwaker105]

@@riograndedosulball248 didn’t Mr. Hohenzollern want his body to stay in the Netherlands until the monarchy comes back to Germany?

[@corneliuscapitalinus845]

Imagine being stuck with the dutch. Poor Willy, cant catch a break even in Rest.

[@rafaelokamura]

Worth to mention that Napoleon visited his grave when he conquered Berlin and the near royal city of Potsdam. Hitler, also a great idolized Frederick, when conquered Paris visited Napoleon tomb. It's said when Hitler killed himself he keep a Frederick portrait in his room.

[@discountplaguedoctor88]

Considering that Jack made a video about Maria Theresa, this one was practically guaranteed. FIGHT ME!

[@Santeri349]

I've yearned for this episode for years.

[@juwebles4352]

Why would I do that?

[@kei1711]

For real, I've been waiting for this for 4 years... Man, time sure flies huh-

[@Tacitus-qd3ev]

Fredrick Wilhelm I was a horrible father but probably one of the most effective monarchs in history. He worked tirelessly to reform his country which his father had bankrupted. He built an incredibly efficient bureaucracy which allowed Prussia to field a large army which he also had modernized and which his son put to good use. He also did a lot for his subjects like mandatory education and he took in a lot of religous refugees that had been expelled from Catholic countries (like Salzburg). He is also the reason why lawyers still have to wear black robes in Germany, since he wanted to make sure that everyone could discover those "scoundrels" from a distant.

[@GonzaloDaveloza]

Indeed, he was a good king (for the measure you could expect in those times anyway) for the Prussians, and oddly enough, him being an asshole with his son probably made his son try and become a way better person to distance himself from his view of his father.

[@Tacitus-qd3ev]

@@GonzaloDaveloza It is an interesting contrast to be sure. Frederick Wilhelm could be cruel to those around him, but he abhored war and - unlike pretty much every other monarch of his time - tried to avoid it. Frederick II was certainly nicer and also did a lot for his subjects, but he started several wars that ended up claiming the lifes of millions of people, with Prussia suffering a lot of devastation.

[@JohnBrowningsGhost]

Often great men are terrible men in one way or another. There are very very few Saints in the history books.

[@eduardolombello1776]

Every Alexander the Great needs his Philip II

[@loslobos786]

He like his son are prime examples of how a human being can be great at one thing and a complete failure at another.

[@Lazysupermutant]

I don't know if anyone has brought this up but it's kind of funny how homophobic his daddy was considering he founded the Potsdam Giants, an infantry unit entirely comprised of dudes over 6". He was quoted as saying "The most beautiful girl or woman in the world would be a matter of indifference to me, but tall soldiers-they are my weakness"

[@GhostBear3067]

Made the poor bastards march and run drills in his bedroom.

[@stevencooper4422]

Yeah that's just French propaganda. Trust me, you wouldn't want to claim Fredericks father as gay, as it would make the gay community look bad.

[@beanofknowledge2125]

Fun fact: In Memory of Frederick the great, Citicens of the city of Potsdam adorn his grave with Potatoes, as he introduced them in Germany, which quickly became a staple of german cuisine.

[@CollinMcLean]

And making Germany the second biggest potato eating stereotype right after the Irish.

[@sars910]

Frederick : *Lived a genuinely interesting life filled with heartbreak and failure, intense sorrow and triumph, losses and gains, and ended up becoming one of the most influential kings in European history* Germans: "Lol. Potato guy."

[@philippschmitt4142]

"Fortuna has it in for me, unfortunately she is a woman." Fritz, you smooth Bastard...

[@JackRackam]

One of my favorite quotes

[@philippschmitt4142]

@@JackRackam its right up there with Voltaire describing the court as "Sparta at day, Athens at night"

[@user-gi8pk9uc7q]

@@philippschmitt4142 Voltaire was there, so he'd know better than anyone!

[@anthonylarocque7975]

If you're doing Prussian Gay Pride Month, you should do an episode on von Steuben. Kicked out of Prussia for being gay, so he went to the colonies and whipped the Revolutionary army into shape.

[@JackRackam]

Ah true, von Steuben would be great! Sadly I don't have all my content this month centered around Pride, but maybe he'll get his time to shine later on

[@rickyhunt4075]

@@JackRackam He would make a great subject for a video also In keeping with the Foreigners fighting in the American Revolution what about The Marquis De Layfayette?

[@ashleightompkins3200]

@@JackRackam Wasn't he the one who would grab someone who could speak English and say "Yell at them for me" because the American soldiers were too undisciplined?

[@anthonylarocque7975]

@@squaeman_2644 It's a good thing the Yanks had that particular sinner on their side. Without him, they probably would have gotten wrecked. And if he hadn't been that kind of sinner, they never could have recruited him: he just would have stayed in Prussia and enjoyed his military career there.

[@squaeman_2644]

@свевский pride blinds us to our own shortcomings. Greed is another emotion or whatever that has some utility, the problem is when one becomes to enamoured by such things where they now worship money, status but not God.

[@queekheadtaker7327]

His dads regiment of giants could honestly be an episode and his description of said giants make me wonder if he was projecting something onto fred

[@GonzaloDaveloza]

That is a rumor started by the French for obvious political reasons, Fredrick was obsessed with the biblical stories of giants since he was a kid, he was also entirely devoted to the Prussian military, and a regiment of those humongous freaks was so delightful to him in their expression of physical power (most people back then didn't realize gigantism and acromegaly in fact ended up weakening you) that he dreamed with having entire armies of them marching through Europe. He made them parade over and over and shoved them in the face of any diplomatic visitor at any given chance like some kid wanting Prussia to be praised (and feared).

[@dr.vikyll7466]

Oh I heard about that one through Lions Led By Donkeys. You have a bit too much free time when you organise a Europe-wide kidnapping scheme in order to get more tall people.

[@GonzaloDaveloza]

@@dr.vikyll7466 True that, guy was grabbing them as if collecting figurines.

[@MasonGreenWeed]

We wozz Aryan and shietzz

[@thenablade858]

@@MasonGreenWeedNah neither Frederick would know what tf ‘Aryan’ was. That nonsense is firmly late 1800’s and 20th century.

[@wetwillyis_1881]

Friedrik the Great is just such an interesting character in history, who I feel like we overlook to much.

[@MimeHTF5]

Just visit Potsdam

[@grugthecaveman4565]

“I don’t want my son to like men!” - the man who had a specific obsession with very tall men

[@historian252]

One to have tall soldiers in his army not because he was homosexual. Always got to try and push stuff onto others, eh?

[@puppyqueen5688]

​@@historian252 is more the obsession and constantly keeping them within arms reach.

[@historian252]

@Puppy queen Having bodyguards on the battlefield which are taller the average man would work wonders as an intimidation factor.

[@puppyqueen5688]

@@historian252 i meant the many tall big men who he kept at his home and marched around the grounds who didn't see combat

[@historian252]

@@puppyqueen5688 Bodyguards

[@jordisaura6748]

"if you weren't my father i wouldn't have tried" you got me there

[@mm-kk6nt]

Sick come back

[@fiendish9474]

Frederick and Voltaire ending still as friends has got to be one of his greatest miracles after that whole fiasco

[@McPaulle]

Another queer fun fact: In memory of his beloved sister he build a pavilion here in Sanssouci Park in Potsdam. It's decorated with pairs of antique heroes of war and homosexuell couples. The sassy guy named it 'Temple of Friendship'. He himself wrote to his sister earlier in his life about the 'tender friendship of Orest and Pylades, the heart bond of Achates' and so on. Additionaly, all of these figures died for their friends/ lovers or outlived them in deep grief. The temple is a clear sign of solidarity and respect for his sister and imo furthermore debunkes the myth of a mysogonistic monarch. Anyway, thx for the great video Jack!

[@chl8760]

That is not a myth

[@squaeman_2644]

Homosexuality back then is not how we see homosexuality today. I do not think Frederick would want to be called homosexual...

[@Dafty2k]

@@squaeman_2644 he was gay tho

[@schoe2164]

@@squaeman_2644 No it wasn't, it was the same thing

[@schoe2164]

@@squaeman_2644 It was distinct in antiquity

[@Spiderfisch]

you forgot to mention his greatest achievement: introducing the Potatoe

[@marcelostalker]

Brazillian here. Though the accent was obvious, that little bit bit of Portuguese at the start was pretty good! I understood everything, it had good enough level of pronunciation that you to hold a conversation around here. Kudos, most often people give up before that point.

[@GhostBear3067]

This guy is one of the few English speakers I have ever heard say "João" correctly.

[@jtgd]

I honestly feel bad for Frederick. Being forced to watch the execution of the person you love… I don’t think I would let that go…

[@nbewarwe]

And then being buried by the guy who made you watch. Feels bad man.

[@someguy7723]

He found a nice coping mechanism. Beating up Austria

[@compatriot852]

@@someguy7723 and being racist to Poles and Lithuanians

[@averongodoffire8098]

@@compatriot852 and a weird hate boner for coffee🤔

[@xaviersaavedra7442]

Shoot I wouldn’t blame him if he did a victory lap around his dad‘s grave.

[@santi2683]

It's crazy the amount of great monarchs that all lived contemporary and even knew each other at that time

[@mosesracal6758]

The fact that Catherine, Maria Theresa (arguably a great), and Frederick were of relatively similar age and kept correspondence with each other was without a doubt evidence of that it really was the Enlightenment era. So many progressive monarchs and great leaders of their respective countries with a personality to love.

[@luxborealis]

There’s also this south American revolutionary guy who met all of them too, tried to convince Catherine of Russia and George Washington to back a revolution in Venezuela among other things.

[@deron2203]

Frederick the Great I remember seeing him in a history book when I was in 2nd grade and thinking he was someone who worked with George Washington lmao.

[@warlordofbritannia]

I mean. That’s not *incorrect*

[@theotherohlourdespadua1131]

I mean, somebody from Old Fritz's Prussia did work for Washington. His name is Baron Von Steuben, and is possibly as gay as Old Fritz. Also, he is the US Army's first Inspector General and his book on military drills was standard material for West Point education for like the first 50 years or so...

[@Attacian]

And a addendum: After Frederick returned from the seven years war, the first thing he said to his wife was:"Madame behas become corpulent."

[@warlordofbritannia]

Dude simultaneously combined being BASED and cringe af in every moment of his life

[@gre3nishsinx0Rgold4]

I don't get it. What does it mean?

[@aglassofcacao8051]

@@gre3nishsinx0Rgold4 She had gotten more weight on

[@thomasrinschler6783]

@@gre3nishsinx0Rgold4 "Yes, you DO look fat in that dress"

[@cacahuetem2795]

As someone who has an unhealthy obsession over Voltaire and Frederick’s relationship I’m so happy to see the Frankfurt incident covered in such a fun way 😆😆 thank you!! one tiny thing though is that Voltaire was arrested by Frederick’s agents in the free city of Frankfurt so it wasn’t even Prussian territory! It is debated whether Voltaire actually stole the things or it was only Frederick’s claim after he’s gone... this part of the story is all about broken promises, anger, mistrust, which eventually dissolved into chaos then rupture, but strangely enough they always kept going back to each other, and continued writing for the next 25 years!

[@mosesracal6758]

Nobody just cant get enough of Voltaire during the enlightenment

[@VelkanKiador]

Oh god, the ending with "AND THE BASTARDS PUT HIM IN THE DIRT NEXT TO HIS FATHER UNTIL 1991!" ending really got me XD

[@nicbahtin4774]

damn Voltaire did like a little bit of trolling

[@Tacitus-qd3ev]

Fun fact: Frederick's first words after years of seperation from Elisabeth were: "Madame has grown fat".

[@blenderbanana]

Maybe because she married a homosexual.

[@bdawgrise6961]

This angered his father, who punished him severely.

[@bambojee278]

Truly the Girlboss of Kings.

[@someguy7723]

Yaaass queen💅🏾 slay those Austrians

[@starry-mantle]

Just gonna gaslight, gatekeep, girlboss my way to Silesia.

[@memeboi6017]

Have you heard of **King** Jadwiga of Poland, yes a woman king (Its very complicated) .

[@thenablade858]

@@memeboi6017Not sure if I would call Jadwiga a girlboss. She was much more ‘saintly’ with her focus on peace with the Teutonic Knights and the establishment of schools and churches, meanwhile Catherine and Frederick were more ‘warlike’ and dominant.

[@ctaylorcaldwell]

They really need to make a Frederick and Voltaire Odd Couple sitcom.

[@lyalllupin8789]

Frederick The Great, the manliest, most savage gay guy in the history of the world.

[@warlordofbritannia]

There’s nothing more manly than banging other dudes That’s why I’m straight: I’m so bloody effeminate

[@rickyhunt4075]

Many Roman and Greeks were gay and or Bisexual Julius Caesar was bi and Badass.

[@cokelover-nb1qz]

@@rickyhunt4075 wait was caesar bi i dont remember that i know others were like alexander but i don't remember caesar

[@warlordofbritannia]

@@cokelover-nb1qz Caesar was very close with several men in his younger days, most (in)famously iirc the King of Bythnia

[@rickyhunt4075]

@@cokelover-nb1qz Yes Caesar was Bi and yea I forgot about Alexander the Great truth is the Greeks and Romans didn't think about sexuality so narrowly as we do today.

[@michaelsinger4638]

Ah Frederick, the most badass gay guy ever. Also he ended up being a FAR better soldier than his father ever was.

[@Attacian]

Of Course, his father was only the "soldier king" because he wanted the army to be his toys. A collection of fancy, shiny tinsoldiers with muskets but as humans.

[@michaelsinger4638]

His father was an abusive A-hole in general.

[@MasonGreenWeed]

Equivalent of Philip II to Alexander der Große

[@GermanConquistador08]

Frederick the Great was NOT a Homosexual. Homo-Sexual implies that Frederick held sexual attraction and committed sexual acts with Men. There is no credible historical evidence that this was the case. The contemporary view of Frederick - especially from those who knew him best, his Generals - was that he was Asexual Misogynist with deep interest in Classical Culture, not a homosexual. From a psychological standpoint: Frederick suffered physical abuse as a child, he experienced the death of his best friend - Katte, the one mentioned - whom he may have held sexual attraction to, but for European Royalty who were rarely left alone there would have been little opportunity for Frederick to engage in illicit relationships with Katte and there's no evidence that he did. If Frederick had any homosexual tendencies, they most likely died with Katte. His personal doctor also attests Frederick's allowance and spreading of homosexual rumor was part of a self-delusion owing to a lack of sexual function despite lack of sexual damage. This is actually common with those who suffered significant abuse as a child and/or young adult - Which Frederick did. The most inherently insulting aspect of this mistake is this: Frederick was a Great man who suffered from abuse and mental problems. And instead of this reality being the narrative: Biased perspectives have turned this into something it wasn't - A story about sexuality. The only sources we have attesting to Frederick's sexuality are two - French sources, which can be almost never trusted when discussing German matters. Especially Voltaire, who's primary sources "outing" Frederick as a homosexual come only during a stint where Voltaire was exiled from Frederick's court - specifically for making near treasonous, slanderous rumors about the King himself. Voltaire would NOT repeat these accusations after he and Frederick reconciled. The second are modern, politically motivated LGBT narratives which seek to revise Frederickan history for their own purposes. Similar to how Alexander the Great is portrayed as Homosexual when he was Bisexual at best and more likely simply deeply close to his male friends in a completely acceptable manner to Pre-Christian, European societies. The tendency to sexualize where there is no sexuality is a MODERN aspect of historiography and one which must be eliminated for the purposes of objective history. It is not only an insult to the life of Historical Figures, but also to the Historical Community who only suffers when modern politics is brought in to change what we know to be objective history.

[@arawn1061]

@@GermanConquistador08 Are you repressing something?

[@marcusestube]

This is not only the most honest, but also the most entertaining, version of Frederick's life I've ever experienced.

[@joshuaevans6295]

If we're talking about gay 18th century Prussian military officers, Baron Friedrich Wilhelm August Heinrich Ferdinand von Steuben would probably be a good video topic!

[@springtimung5567]

Thats a long name

[@MimeHTF5]

And Fredricks Brother

[@akechijubeimitsuhide]

I feel like there should be an opera about young Frederick and Katte's tragic romance, but the only composer who could write the right kind of music for it was Verdi.

[@TheShadowChesireCat]

He probably could have made one himself. He wrote libretti for Graun (most famous example is Montezuma) and had designs for his own opera. He was a proficient composer too. His Flute Concertos are just lovely.

[@jestersareawesome4332]

@@TheShadowChesireCat Oh yeah. And the Hohenfriedberger March was possibly written by him and if he did, the man had some real talent as a composer cause that March is a banger.

[@rafaelokamura]

That story fits so well to a Verdi's opera, a true love until the very tragic end. You took words from my mouth.

[@akechijubeimitsuhide]

@@rafaelokamura Verdi was great at homoerotic tenor/baritone "bromances" :D

[@kattestrophe1730]

There are multiple operas from the 90s/early 00s! I don't think there are full recordings, but they do exist :D There's also a musical, but that one is woefully straight

[@caijuu7775]

I like the revelation that Frederick's 1950's fuckboy personality is an affectation that arose out of having no idea how to believably pass as straight

[@largeladsteve25]

can't blame him for loving men, they're pretty cute sometimes

[@Nova-143]

Amen

[@joseleonido3479]

Agreed sis ✨

[@shmainginyt5421]

It's said that hitler in his last days had a painting of fredrick above his desk who he looked up to. It's ironic with how much hitler hated gay people but it turns out that man he looked to was gay

[@nowhereman6019]

*Old Fritz! Old Fritz! Old Fritz! Old Fritz!* *Old Fritz! Old Fritz! Old Fritz! Old Fritz!*

[@flyingtomatosauce3528]

the 18th Century version of "BILL BILL BILL BILL!"

[@Attacian]

You my friend are a man of great taste!

[@Artur_M.]

You know what? I do feel bad for Frederick and kinda admire him but... I'm also Polish, so I'm biased against him and bitter over the Partitions. Also, there are so many good videos about him and Catherine 'the Great' but hardly any about my man Tadeusz Kościuszko. If only some brilliant, funny and (I assume) handsome HistoryTuber could do something about it. ;-) BTW the fact that some Polish coin stamps were in Saxony is perhaps not so surprising considering the whole personal union thing.

[@Aerlas]

Ah yes. The figure Jane Porter took inspiration from for her book Thaddeus of Warsaw.

[@bellofrus]

I second your idea, Kościuszko deserves more respect and press. He's a beloved figure in Belarus, revered alongside Kalinouski and Skaryna. I may be biased, but he's still worthy of praise

[@davidcoquelle3081]

He was excellent at playing the war flute

[@razagan1343]

Hello Jack, quick question, what were the exact titles of the books containing the "people this guy is gay AND European" I would love to read them

[@komessandtomikcoll2154]

Its mostly based on the book his brother wrote most of the gay sentiments comes from it. Some peple say this book is telling the truth. But imo this can be seen as an ureliable source. Other sourves are modern (read from year 2000+) so it is for you to decide since we will never know the truth.

[@razagan1343]

@@komessandtomikcoll2154 ok, may I please have the name of the book

[@komessandtomikcoll2154]

@@razagan1343 Not 100% but I think its called Fridrich II

[@erraticonteuse]

@@komessandtomikcoll2154 Voltaire also wrote a book about it.

[@komessandtomikcoll2154]

@@erraticonteuse Yes I wrote so in the edit of my first comment

[@Sebastian_A_Var_Herman]

13:00 “and Spain was playing Charlie Brown football with Portugal” That’s a bit of a big understatement. Not only did the Portuguese where giving the Spanish problems in what is today the Uruguay and Brazil border, but the British (well more like the Royal Navy and the navy of the British East Indian Company) captured the Havana in Cuba and Manila in the Philippines, basically cutting off Spain from a large chunk of their colonial holdings and crippling their economy. Not only that but after the war the British force Spain to pay for they occupation of both ports for the next 2 years. Is honestly kind of sad, Spain enter the war when it seemed to be almost over (at least in Europe), only to get handle one of their most costly defeats

[@Kkc240k]

Spain was willing to continue, but Britain was basically “f**k it, take Louisiana and screw off.”

[@arawn1061]

Honestly Hilarious

[@john4845]

Inaccurate. Clearly these men were all really close friends who cared a lot about each other.

[@anniel6479]

I'm so happy we got to see more of the dynamic you gave Maria and Fredrick.

[@jacintovski]

I love that you're becoming that passionate about Portuguese that you're actually making ads related to it. I'd love to see more of Portugal's rich history in this channel. Huge props for this episode on Frederick, he's a great man with a troubled past and repressed love indeed

[@wacasommerfell469]

As someone from Berlin, thanks for covering the dude causing the 8 most borring lessons in historyclass... to be honest i have heard so much stupid Storys told about him... you cant get around him in school in former Prussian Germany...

[@gavind351]

Where I'm from, we had to learn about Carnegie in almost every history class we had because he was a part of local history. It got annoying.

[@lazymansload520]

@@gavind351 I grew up in Pittsburgh. Same.

[@legiohysterius4624]

Did they cover his sexual orientation?

[@wacasommerfell469]

@@legiohysterius4624 yes, they did... a lot Other then Bismark, he was cut out becouse he would be to patriotic

[@vincentbriggs1780]

Hey, that's a photo of me at 2:34! And I have a tutorial on my channel for the buttons on the black & white c. 1790 coat I'm wearing in that photo!

[@JackRackam]

It's an awesome outfit!

[@SeoulMan]

I can't ever think of Frederick without hearing the phrase, "Hey~ buttah biscuit!"

[@emptank]

Fred Willy the 1st really had no business getting mad at his son for being gay, he himself was more than a little suspect in that regard. Case and point: The Potsdam Giants. The Potsdam Giants were a regiment of Grenadiers Fredrick had commanded in his youth which he kept around as his personal guards. In order to fill it with the most manly men he could he reorganized the unit so it would only consist of men who were more than six feet two inches tall. Almost a foot taller than the king himself. He got them the best uniforms. He tried to get them to marry tall women to breed even taller children. He would have them parade past his bed when he was sick. He painted their portraits from memory and his love for the regiment was so well known other nations would send taller soldiers to Prussia to volunteer for the regiment to earn the King's favor.

[@chidiettre8367]

He’s actually quoted as saying something along the lines of ‘The most beautiful girl or woman in the world would be a matter of indifference to me, but tall soldiers they are my weakness.’ So yeah he is a pretty sus guy tbh

[@geoducc2478]

First fella with a giant fetish

[@MimeHTF5]

the problem Friedrich Wilhelm 1 had with his son wasn't that he was bisexual but that he wasn't gendered like his father

[@Pikkabuu]

You forgot an important detail about that coffee Frederick drank. Supposedly he used champagne instead of water...

[@theawesomeman9821]

Imagine Voltaire and Frederick had Twitter invented during their lifetime.

[@lefteron6804]

I want a Frederick and Vaulter sitcom.

[@TheFi0r3]

*Voltaire

[@hentaioverwhelming]

At 15:30: "Maria's ghost probably flipped him the bird" Yesssssss, this was what I was waiting for. lolololol

[@baz5042]

I would like to see Blücher, then Bismarck, not best the marshall of the Napoleonic Wars, but certainly had the biggest of personalities of all the generals.

[@legiohysterius4624]

And moltke the elder aka the general who took Paris and used small unit tactic and trains in the 1800s

[@jam8539]

@@glocksmith226 hilarious then that before serving in Prussia the man had served in the Swedish army, before being captured by the Prussians and basically saying free me and ill serve you

[@maddiewettach4954]

I love how he recreates Frederick’s carnival huckster pitching voice from way back in the Maria Theresa video. That’s what I call commitment to the bit!

[@historybuff222]

This is probably one of your best episodes so far. Great job!

[@dottee4571]

The montage where everybody is repeating the same quote is badass.

[@lelouche25]

Fredrick the Great, buggered his enemies and his lovers. Great man indeed. He was a hell of a man and an even greater General.

[@Attacian]

So, Jack just confirmed a following episode about one of the greatst loveletter writers in 19th century europe?

[@fubarrossi1234]

Man i am so happy this channel blew up, i still remember the 30k content

[@eyezblack]

One of your best videos to date. Keep up the good work Jack

[@franbalcal]

The "state with an army" montage almost killed me, please more of these !

[@forestgirlasha]

This just some random info here in Pennsylvania we have area called king of Prussia that was named after and a inn that was named after King Fedrerick. There is a really big shopping mall called the king of Prussia mall.

[@warlordofbritannia]

One of my favorite weird historical trivia facts

[@compatriot852]

Very odd considering all the Poles and Lithuanians who fled after Prussia's invasion were important to Pennsylvania history and American independence

[@aegonii8471]

@@compatriot852 A Prussian prince was also contender for king of America

[@kingoliever1]

Have to say even when i first heard about the story i noticed the whole "running away whit a friend from the throne" thing was kinda weird and makes a lot more sense assuming there friendship was also beneficial.

[@johnarnold7984]

I'm glad you promised to do a trilogy on Prussia, I'm looking forward to it.

[@heppyzx5877]

They were just friends guys! Really good friends!

[@blenderbanana]

They even checked each others Colons!

[@MrTheBaron]

Been looking forward to this one since the Maria Theresa episode! And yes, we gotta have a Bismarck episode! The man, the ship, or the song. Whichever Bismarck it is.

[@legiohysterius4624]

Honestly I'm. More scared of the man then the ship

[@ThomasTrue]

Jack, as a queer person, I'd like to say you handled that brilliantly. Far from being at all homophobic, you showed that Frederick was openly gay. That makes this a great video for Pride Month. Well done.

[@GaiaGoddessOfTheEarth]

Thanks for the content warning 💖, normally can handle stuff like that but not in a good place recently and don't think I could deal with it right now.

[@imperialwarhawk123abc5]

The oblique technique!!!!

[@graetestfanever1]

Not exactly straight. Hes got creative talents and battle malice. Hard as steel and genteel in palace!

[@GermanConquistador08]

Russia's messed up but I wonder why? With their tundras, and taigas and bears, OH MY!

[@thebasileus4793]

I'm so happy your doing one on Frederick the Great, my favorite Prussian.

[@anythinggoesguy]

Good job adding the bit about that river in Egypt - De Nile of Frederick the Great's sexuality. I remember even the wikipedia article used to speculate that there was no real evidence that he was gay.

[@nuuttisandgren9470]

How do we disrespect someone Who deserve our respect and respects someone Who didnt deserve it. Oh i know Lets bury the son next to hes abusive father instead of where he wanted to be buried

[@Tacitus-qd3ev]

11:35 GB was in fact very helpful for Prussia in Germany because a British army (lead by a Prussian field marshall) covered his Western flank after the great victory at Rossbach which effectively meant that Frederick "only" had to worry about the Austrians, Russians and Swedes.

[@montyadam9965]

as someone from Rheinsberg, this is truly Quality Content. ❤ you did him good. And i think your channel is constantly improving.

[@giladpellaeon1691]

Another great video, man! Had several LOL moments in the latter part (including the burial bit) and I'm looking forward to an Otto von Bismarck video now.

[@saptarshisengupta9290]

A man who had some pretty epic adventures and battles.

[@warlordofbritannia]

9:20 OMG THEY WERE ROOMMATES

[@xaviersaavedra7442]

14:15 fred comming in going all, "hey badda biscut!"

[@CaptKomy]

Imagine the "fun" conversations he had wirh father at the end there ...

[@JackRackam]

You know, apparently he and his father were on much better terms by 1740 which absolutely blows my mind, I don't know how you could ever forgive a guy who killed your boyfriend to teach you a lesson and forced you to watch

[@warlordofbritannia]

@@JackRackam From what I’ve read, Freddy developed some sense of Stockholm Syndrome mixed with extreme daddy-issues; with a father like his, it’s less having genuinely good relations (I don’t think Frederick Wilhelm was capable of love on an intrapersonal basis) and more like being beaten into submission. Basically, his dad eventually succeeded in breaking him Edit: If you read his several wills and memoirs, it becomes so painfully obvious that part of his ambition and motivation was to finally please his deceased father. Genuinely heart wrenching stuff

[@CaptKomy]

@@JackRackam it's still fun thinking the one thing Fred heard when they were putting him down were screams of "WHERE ARE MY GRANDCHILDREN"

[@CaptKomy]

For the Rick and Morty fans out there: "Where are my testicles Summer?"

[@GermanConquistador08]

@@JackRackam - All Hail the King. "Honor thy Mother and Father" Frederick may have been an atheist, but he absorb the Calvinist ideals of his Father and it made him a Great soldier. A man who believes his fate is Predestined often are the greatest leaders. Frederick likely believed - from his writings and music - that his intelligence, his struggles and overcoming them is what made him Great, not being a King. He referred to crowns as "Hats which let the rain in".

[@gabrielaubry1334]

While most girls have a gay best friend, Maria Theresa had a gay archenemy! XD

[@padishahaurangzebalamgir1234]

Lmao no

[@Thejokesonu]

@@padishahaurangzebalamgir1234uh yeah

[@katmccauley2088]

Frederick's dialogue is giving very much "straight" Captain Raymond Holt from Brooklyn 99 and I love it

[@redadmiralofvalyria867]

Frederick is that one person in history where they were TOTALY GAY, and even today, it's "oh idk, I mean he COULD have just been this blah blah blab blah(fucking)blah" Like seriously, just deal with it people 🙄 😒 (as someone who is gay and have been since a younge age, I get naturally aggravated about shit like thit)

[@danre6165]

@@historian252 ???????

[@vivalatrans]

EXACTLY. He was a respected king and a military leader who was also gay. People need to deal with it.

[@Judah132]

as a native Berlin-Brandenburger this video makes me happy :)

[@MaxwellAerialPhotography]

That mini montage about Prussia at 6:30 was unreasonably funny.

[@JenniferinIllinois]

OMG, I can't stop laughing!!! Jack does it again, providing detailed history in his unique mad way! LOL!!!

[@tomhahnl1927]

Another great one 👍

[@richardtaillon1616]

Jack bangin' out these videos and I'm in heaven

[@iannordin5250]

Fredrick Wilhelm was a terrible father but an a wonderful king. Much of Fredrick thr Great's views on the civil responsibility of kingship and tolerance were inhereted from his father who, ironically enough, aborrhed war and saw it as a means of last resort in the defense of a nation and instead wished for states to conduct their affairs through wise governance. His extremely harsh treatment of his son was likely met out due to Wilhelm's experiances in trying to fix the failed state his father - who was irresponsible, capricious, and apathetic - had left him.

[@bookaufman9643]

"all too clear that he had a taste for cockamammy." Best line ever!

[@VoltasP]

Thanks for the warnings and the time stamp!

[@MrMighty147]

Brilliant. This story would make a great TV show.