
George Washington and Frederick the Great
Parallel Lives
Juergen Overhoff(Author)
Princeton University Press
Published on 31. March 2026
Book
Hardback
344 pages
978-0-691-22671-2 (ISBN)
Description
How Frederick the Great and George Washington embody the competition between liberal democracy and authoritarianism
Both Frederick the Great and George Washington saw themselves as model rulers exemplifying different modes of enlightened governance. Frederick, absolute ruler of Prussia, styled himself as the embodiment of "enlightenment from above"; Washington, as the first president of the United States, held himself accountable to Congress, with the power of the presidency subject to checks and balances. In this unique study, Juergen Overhoff traces the parallel lives of two of the most important and influential statesmen of the eighteenth century, from their early years to their ascension to political power and their historical legacies. Overhoff considers the significance of each man not only in the context of his own country but in the larger geopolitical space of Atlantic history.
Overhoff describes how Washington admired Frederick's actions during the Seven Years' War (also known as the French and Indian War) in the 1750s, when Frederick allied with the British and North Americans. Later, Frederick was impressed by Washington's leadership of the Continental Army during the American Revolution. Prussia and the United States even signed a friendship treaty after the war. But, as Overhoff shows, the two men had very different ideas about the principles of the Enlightenment, monarchy, and democracy. Despite his Enlightenment bona fides, Frederick ruled Prussia by edict and decree, always with the goal of maintaining his own power. Washington famously stepped down after two terms in office. Overhoff argues convincingly that the political trajectories of Frederick and Washington shed light on the contemporary clash between authoritarianism and democracy.
Both Frederick the Great and George Washington saw themselves as model rulers exemplifying different modes of enlightened governance. Frederick, absolute ruler of Prussia, styled himself as the embodiment of "enlightenment from above"; Washington, as the first president of the United States, held himself accountable to Congress, with the power of the presidency subject to checks and balances. In this unique study, Juergen Overhoff traces the parallel lives of two of the most important and influential statesmen of the eighteenth century, from their early years to their ascension to political power and their historical legacies. Overhoff considers the significance of each man not only in the context of his own country but in the larger geopolitical space of Atlantic history.
Overhoff describes how Washington admired Frederick's actions during the Seven Years' War (also known as the French and Indian War) in the 1750s, when Frederick allied with the British and North Americans. Later, Frederick was impressed by Washington's leadership of the Continental Army during the American Revolution. Prussia and the United States even signed a friendship treaty after the war. But, as Overhoff shows, the two men had very different ideas about the principles of the Enlightenment, monarchy, and democracy. Despite his Enlightenment bona fides, Frederick ruled Prussia by edict and decree, always with the goal of maintaining his own power. Washington famously stepped down after two terms in office. Overhoff argues convincingly that the political trajectories of Frederick and Washington shed light on the contemporary clash between authoritarianism and democracy.
More details
Language
English
Place of publication
New Jersey
United States
Product notice
Trade binding
Illustrations
23 b/w illus.
Dimensions
Height: 242 mm
Width: 164 mm
Thickness: 33 mm
Weight
645 gr
ISBN-13
978-0-691-22671-2 (9780691226712)
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E-Book
03/2026
Princeton University Press
€33.99
Available for download
Persons
Juergen Overhoff is professor of the history of education at the Universitaet Muenster. His previously published books include a monograph on the political thought of Thomas Hobbes and a biography of Benjamin Franklin.