Lualdi, Katherine J. (ed.) Sources of The Making of the West: People and Cultures, vol II, pages
104-106.
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Questions: Answer all three.
1. Based on this excerpt, in what ways does the term enlightened despot apply to Frederick II?
(How is he enlightened? How is he despotic?)
2. What reasons does Frederick advance in favor of religious tolerance?
3. According to Frederick, what should be the one goal of government?
Frederick II, Political Testament (1752)
The Enlightenment’s triumph is perhaps best reflected in the politics of the second half of the
18
th
century. Rather than working to suppress the philosophes’ calls for change, rulers across
continental Europe embraced them as a means of enhancing their power and prestige. They
did so at their own discretion, however, and often with an iron hand, as the case of King
Frederick II of Prussia (r. 1740-1786) vividly reveals. A devotee of the Enlightenment as well as
an exemplary soldier and statesman, Frederick transformed Prussia into a leading European
state during his reign. In his Political Testament of 1752, excerpted here, he outlines his
political philosophy, which blended Enlightenment ideals with an uncompromising view of his
own power.
2
One must attempt, above all, to know the special genius of the people which one wants to
govern in order to know if one must treat them leniently or severely, if they are inclined to
revolt…to intrigue….
[The Prussian nobility] has sacrificed its life and goods for the service of the state, its
loyalty and merit have earned it the protection of all its rulers, and it is one of the duties [of the
ruler] to aid those [noble] families which have become impoverished in order to keep them in
possession of their lands: for they are to be regarded as the pedestals and the pillars of the
state. In such a state no factions or rebellions need be feared…it is one goal of the policy of this
state to preserve the nobility.
A well conducted government must have an underlying concept so well integrated that it
could be likened to a system of philosophy. All actions taken must be one goal: which is the
strengthening of the state and the furthering of its power. However, such a system can flow but
from a single brain, and this must be that of the sovereign. Laziness, hedonism, and imbecility,
these are the causes which restrain princes in working at the noble task of bringing happiness to
their subjects…a sovereign is not elevated to his high position, supreme power has not been
confined to him in order that he may live in lazy luxury, enriching himself by the labor of the
people, being happy which everyone else suffers. The sovereign is the first servant of the state.
He is well paid in order that he may sustain the dignity of his office, but one demands that he
work efficiently for the good of the state, and that he, at the very least, pay personal attention to
the most important problems….
You can see, without doubt, how important it is that the King of Prussia govern
personally. Just as it would have been impossible for Newton to arrive at his system of
attractions if he had worked in harness with Leibnitz and Descartes, so a system of politics
cannot be arrived at and continued if it has not sprung from a single brain….All parts of the
government are inexorably linked with each other. Finance, politics, and military affairs are
inseparable; it does not suffice that one be well administered; they must all be…a Prince who
governs personally, who has formed his [own] political system, will not be handicapped when
occasions arise where he has to act swiftly: for he can guide all matters towards the end which
he has set for himself….
Catholics, Lutherans, Reformed, Jews, and other Christian sects live in this state, and
live together in peace: if the sovereign, actuated by a mistaken zeal, declares himself for one
religion or another, parties will spring up, heated disputes ensue, little by little persecutions will
commence, and, in the end, the religion persecuted will leave the fatherland and millions of
subjects will enrich our neighbors with their skill and industry.
3
It is of no concern in politics whether a ruler has a religion or whether he has none. All
religions, if one examines them, are founded on superstitious systems, more or less absurd. It is
impossible for a man of good sense, who dissects their contents, not to see their error; but
these prejudices, these errors and mysteries were made for men, and one must know enough to
respect the public and not to outrage its faith, whatever religion be involved.