him until he was seven years old. With her he leant to speak French, play music and took an interest in philosophy and history. But after he turned seven, the Soldier King, King William, took control of his education. William wanted his young son to follow in his footsteps and wanted Frederick to enjoy war. When the prince was a child, he sent him a real cannon for his birthday, with servants that he could order around as fake soldiers. He woke up Frederick with a live cannon shot, and when Frederick did not like war, he abused Frederick. He beat and humiliated Frederick for the slightest of things, such as wearing gloves in the cold. His father was the opposite of Frederick, and defunded and closed his funding of the arts and scientists. William also surrounded himself with military men and turned the Prussian army into a drilled fighting force the same size of France. This was an important factor for Frederick later in life, as it gave him a massive military from, which he could use to conquer his multitude of enemies. This army included a special section dedicated to the giant men in Prussia who joined the army. Frederick continued to learn and read philosophy and history in secret, until he had reached adulthood, and could not take anymore, so he decided to flee Prussia with his friend and possible lover. But they were found out and Frederick was forced to watch his friend killed before his very eyes. When his father was dying, Frederick did two things. Start building a pleasure palace for him and his friends so they could put on plays, compose music and discuss literature, send architects to study famous buildings for inspiration, and visit his father for the last time. There they agreed that Prussia would have to take the region of East Prussia. They also highlighted the inevitable war with Austria, and the need to take Prussia onto the world stage.
Sanssouci Palace
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