MILITARY STRATEGIES OF FREDERICK THE GREAT DURING THE SEVEN YEARS’ WAR 1756–1763

Oleh Mashevskyi,

Dr. habil. (History), Professor,

Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv, Kyiv, Ukraine

 

Maksym Doichyk,

Master’s Student,

Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv, Kyiv, Ukraine

 

DOI: https://doi.org/10.17721/2524-048X.2025.30.9

 

Abstract. The article examines the strategies of the Prussian king Frederick II during the Seven Years’ War (1756–1763), which enabled Prussia to prevail in a prolonged military confrontation. It explores how a small German state managed to win one of the largest military conflicts of the 18th century. Frederick the Great did not rely on a single strategy in his fight against Austria, France, and Russia, but employed several. These strategies were primarily related to the course of the Seven Years’ War on the main theater of operations – the European continent.

The article aims to analyze Frederick the Great’s military strategies during the Seven Years’ War (1756–1763) in-depth. The research methods employed are determined by the peculiarity of the problem. Among them are the chronological method, which facilitated the identification of changes in the tactics and strategy of the Prussian army over the three phases of the Seven Years’ War; the analytical method, which enabled the examination of the distinct features of Frederick II’s army in its engagements against enemy forces; and the statistical method, which allowed for an assessment of the number of participants and casualties throughout the conflict.

The scientific novelty of the study lies in the analysis of the Seven Years’ War from the Prussian perspective in three stages: the first from 1756–1757, the second from 1758–1760, and the third from 1761–1763. During each stage, Frederick II’s state employed different strategies against its adversaries. The article provides a detailed examination of the first offensive stage for the Prussian troops, aimed at achieving the greatest possible advantages to continue the conflict on terms favorable to Berlin. The second stage, which at times tested the concept of strategic defense, involved the use of maneuvers and engaging in battles when necessary. This phase allowed Frederick to exhaust his enemies’ financial and human resources. In the third stage, the war became more maneuver-based, and the scale of battles diminished significantly as all sides’ resources for waging war were depleted. Only after the accession of Peter III to the Russian throne and Russia’s withdrawal from the conflict did the balance of power in the war shift dramatically. The article examines the course of hostilities between Frederick the Great’s forces and his adversaries, which evolved throughout the Seven Years’ War.

Conclusions. Accumulating its last forces, Prussia inflicted several defeats on its enemies, which allowed Frederick II to win the final victory in a long military conflict that decided the fate of the country for centuries to come. During all stages of the Seven Years’ War of 1756–1763, the role of the Prussian king was significant. This underlines the strategic thinking of Frederick II, which, among other factors, enabled Prussia to win the war despite the seemingly insurmountable odds. This topic remains relevant for the Ukrainian state, which is currently fighting for its survival. Although the topic has been explored by numerous scholars from various national schools, with a rich source base, it still requires further rethinking and study.

Key words: Frederick the Great, Seven Years’ War, Prussia, strategy, international relations, «soft power», «strategic depth».

 

Submitted 15.10.2024

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