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Frederick William III

From The Columbia Encyclopedia
1770–1840, king of Prussia (1797–1840), son and successor of Frederick William II. Well-intentioned but weak and vacillating, he endeavored to maintain neutrality in the Napoleonic Wars. In 1806, French troops were massed on Prussia's frontier and Frederick William was forced to take up arms against France. His crushing defeat by the French at Jena and the humiliating Treaty of Tilsit (1807), which virtually made Prussia a French vassal, served to waken the king to the need of reconstruction in Prussia. Unable to carry through the reforms himself, he was far-sighted enough to appoint capable ministers. The reforms of Karl vom und zum Stein , Karl August von Hardenberg , and Scharnhorst laid the basis of the modern Prussian state and prepared for the eventual war against Napoleon. Forced to send an auxiliary force to aid Napoleon's Russian campaign, the king was finally persuaded to support the Convention of Tauroggen (see Taurage ), concluded with the Russians by the commander of the…
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Full text Article Frederick William III

From Britannica Concise Encyclopedia
(born Aug. 3, 1770, Potsdam, Prussia—died June 7, 1840, Berlin) King of Prussia (1797–1840). The son of Frederick William II , he pursued a policy of neutrality in the early years of the Napoleonic Wars , which accelerated the decline of Prussia’s prestige. Prussia joined the third coalition against…
| 178 words
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Full text Article Frederick William III

From The Columbia Encyclopedia
1770–1840, king of Prussia (1797–1840), son and successor of Frederick William II. Well-intentioned but weak and vacillating, he endeavored to maintain neutrality in the Napoleonic Wars. In 1806, French troops were massed on Prussia's frontier and Frederick William was forced to take up arms against…
| 264 words
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Full text Article Frederick William III

From Chambers Biographical Dictionary
1770-1840 King of Prussia Born in Potsdam, he succeeded his father, Frederick William II , in 1797. At first he was neutral towards Napoleon I but eventually declared war against him in 1806. After defeat at Jena and Auerstädt, he fled into East Prussia, and by the Treaty of Tilsit (1807) lost all…
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Dinner in Tilsit between Frederick William III of Prussia, Tsar Alexander I of Russia and Napoleon, who raises a toast to the Queen of Prussia, 3rd June 1807 (colour litho)
Artist: French School, (19th century) Location: Musee de la Ville de Paris, Musee Carnavalet, Paris, France Credit: Dinner in Tilsit between Frederick William III of Prussia, Tsar Alexander I of Russia and Napoleon, who raises a toast to the Queen of Prussia, 3rd June 1807 (colour litho), French…
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The Allied Sovereigns in Paris, 1815, Alexander I, Emperor of Russia, Louis XVIII, King of France, Francis I, Emperor of Austria and Frederick William III, King of Prussia, published by Martinet, 1815 (coloured engraving)
Artist: French School, (19th century) Location: Private Collection Credit: The Allied Sovereigns in Paris, 1815, Alexander I, Emperor of Russia, Louis XVIII, King of France, Francis I, Emperor of Austria and Frederick William III, King of Prussia, published by Martinet, 1815 (coloured engraving), …
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Full text Article Frederick William III, King of Prussia

From Bridgeman Images: The Bridgeman Art Library
Frederick William III, King of Prussia
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Meeting between Frederick William III of Prussia, Francis I of Austria and Alexander I of Russia, September 25, 1814, Germany, 19th century
Credit: Meeting between Frederick William III of Prussia, Francis I of Austria and Alexander I of Russia, September 25, 1814, Germany, 19th century / De Agostini Picture Library / The Bridgeman Art Library Description: The meeting between Frederick William III of Prussia, Francis I of Austria and…
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Full text Article Frederick William III (1770 to 1840)

From Chambers Dictionary of World History
King of Prussia (1797/1840). He was the son of Frederick William II . At first cautiously neutral towards Napoleon I 's conquests, he eventually declared war (1806) and was severely defeated at the Battles of Jena and Auerstädt , with the loss of all territory west of the Elbe. To further Prussia's…
| 124 words
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Full text Article Frederick William III

From Collins English Dictionary
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