Frederick Augustus I of Saxony facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Frederick Augustus I |
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Portrait by Marcello Bacciarelli, 1809
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| King of Saxony | |||||
| Reign | 20 December 1806 – 5 May 1827 | ||||
| Coronation | 20 December 1806 | ||||
| Successor | Anthony | ||||
| Duke of Warsaw | |||||
| Reign | 9 June 1807 – 22 May 1815 | ||||
| Elector of Saxony | |||||
| Reign | 17 December 1763 – 20 December 1806 | ||||
| Predecessor | Frederick Christian | ||||
| Co-regents | Francis Xavier (1763–1768) Maria Antonia (1763–1768) |
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| Born | 23 December 1750 Dresden, Electorate of Saxony, Holy Roman Empire |
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| Died | 5 May 1827 (aged 76) Dresden, Kingdom of Saxony, German Confederation |
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| Burial | Dresden Cathedral, Dresden | ||||
| Spouse |
Amalie of Zweibrücken-Birkenfeld
(m. 1769) |
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| Issue | Princess Maria Augusta of Saxony | ||||
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| House | Wettin | ||||
| Father | Frederick Christian, Elector of Saxony | ||||
| Mother | Princess Maria Antonia of Bavaria | ||||
| Religion | Roman Catholicism | ||||
| Signature |  |
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Frederick Augustus I (born 23 December 1750, died 5 May 1827) was an important ruler from the House of Wettin. He was the last Elector of Saxony from 1763 to 1806. He then became the first King of Saxony, ruling from 1806 to 1827. He also served as the Duke of Warsaw from 1807 to 1815.
Frederick Augustus hoped to bring back the Polish state. Poland had been divided by powerful neighbors in 1795. Even though he didn't succeed, Polish people admired his efforts. The Augustusplatz in Leipzig is named after him today.
Contents
Early Life and Polish Hopes
Becoming Elector of Saxony
Frederick Augustus was the oldest surviving son of Frederick Christian, Elector of Saxony. His mother was Maria Antonia Walpurgis. When his father died in 1763, Frederick Augustus was still a child. His mother and his uncle, Prince Francis Xavier, ruled for him until 1768.
His family had strong ties to Poland. His father's side included two former kings of Poland. His mother's side was linked to Siemowit, an early Polish duke.
Saying No to the Polish Crown
Frederick Augustus's three rulers before him had also been kings of Poland. But he was too young to be chosen in the 1764 Polish election. Later, in 1791, a new Polish constitution named him as the future king.
However, Frederick Augustus refused the offer in 1798. He worried about getting into conflicts with Austria, Prussia, and Russia. These powerful countries had already started dividing Poland in 1772. By 1795, Poland had been completely divided among them. So, the title would have been just a name.
Saxony and Napoleon's Wars
Saxony's Neutral Stance
In 1791, Frederick Augustus met with Holy Roman Emperor Leopold II and King Frederick William II of Prussia. They discussed supporting the French monarchy against the revolution. This led to the Declaration of Pillnitz, which warned France. Frederick Augustus did not sign it.
Saxony wanted to stay out of the war against France. But in 1793, the Holy Roman Empire forced him to join. Saxony left the fight in 1796 after France moved into German lands.
Frederick Augustus showed loyalty to the Holy Roman Empire's laws. He refused to agree to land changes that would benefit other German states.
Joining Napoleon's Enemies
Frederick Augustus did not join the Confederation of the Rhine. This group was formed by Napoleon, and it led to the end of the Holy Roman Empire. He was also hesitant about Prussia's idea of a northern German empire.
But in 1806, Napoleon's army advanced into Thuringia. Frederick Augustus then joined Prussia against him. However, Napoleon crushed the Prussian and Saxon armies at the Battle of Jena-Auerstedt in 1806.
Left alone, Frederick Augustus had to make peace with Napoleon. On 11 December 1806, they signed a treaty. Saxony had to join the Confederation of the Rhine. It also gave up some land to the new Kingdom of Westphalia. In return, Saxony received the area around Cottbus and became a kingdom.
A New Kingdom and a Divided Land
Becoming King and Duke
Frederick Augustus was declared King of Saxony on 20 December 1806. After Napoleon's treaties with Prussia and Russia in 1807, Frederick Augustus was also named Grand Duke of Warsaw. He had refused the Polish crown before, but this time he couldn't say no to Napoleon.
The Constitution of the Duchy of Warsaw linked the Duchy to the Saxon Royal House. The Duchy of Warsaw included parts of Poland that Prussia had taken. It was about 104,000 square kilometers and had 2.6 million people, mostly Poles.
In 1809, Polish and Saxon troops defeated Austria. This added more Polish regions, like Kraków, to the Duchy of Warsaw. In 1812, Frederick Augustus approved a plan to bring back the Kingdom of Poland.
The War's Impact on Saxony
In 1813, during the German Campaign of 1813, Saxony faced a difficult situation. It was still under Napoleon's control and became a major battleground. Almost a million soldiers were in Saxony, which had only about 2 million people.
Frederick Augustus tried to secretly join the Sixth Coalition against Napoleon. He moved to Regensburg and made a pact with Austria in April. But Napoleon found out and ordered him back to Saxony. Frederick Augustus felt he had no choice but to obey.
Saxony suffered greatly from the war. Napoleon demanded all of Saxony's resources. The country was constantly affected by troop movements and fighting. In September, some Saxon soldiers began to leave Napoleon's side.
Frederick Augustus remained loyal to Napoleon, remembering how Prussia had left him in 1806. At the Battle of Leipzig (Battle of Nations), Saxon and Polish troops fought for Napoleon. But as Napoleon's defeat became clear, more Saxon troops joined the Coalition.
Saxony Divided at Vienna
After the Battle of Leipzig, Frederick Augustus was captured and taken to Berlin. He was punished for his loyalty to Napoleon. At the Congress of Vienna (1814-1815), Saxony's future was decided.
Prussia and Russia wanted to take over Saxony. They had agreed to this in a secret treaty in 1813. Austria and France feared Prussia would become too strong. So, they helped mediate a solution. On 7 January 1815, the allies agreed to divide Saxony.
Frederick Augustus was released in February 1815. He delayed accepting the division of his country. But he had no other choice. On 21 May 1815, he signed the peace treaty. Saxony lost 57% of its land and 42% of its people to Prussia.
Many historic Saxon areas were given to Prussia. These included Wittenberg, an old capital, and Torgau. Lower Lusatia and parts of Upper Lusatia also lost their special status.
On 22 May 1815, Frederick Augustus gave up his title as Duke of Warsaw. Most of its land went to Russia, forming a new Kingdom of Poland. The city of Kraków became a separate republic.
Later Years and Legacy
A King Returns Home
When Frederick Augustus returned to Saxony in July 1815, people cheered for him. Even in the lands given to Prussia, people felt loyal to him. They disliked their new Prussian rulers.
There was even a revolt by Saxon soldiers in Liège Province. They were angry about being forced to join the Prussian army. The public in Saxony felt that Prussia had been too harsh.
Final Years and Family Life
Frederick Augustus's last twelve years as king were mostly peaceful. He was a conservative ruler. He made few political changes. He died in 1827, on the same day Napoleon had died.
He was known as "The Just" during his lifetime. His brother, Anthony, became king after him.
Frederick Augustus married Amalie of Zweibrücken-Birkenfeld in 1769. They had four children, but only one daughter survived:
- Maria Augusta Nepomucena Antonia Franziska Xaveria Aloysia (born 1782, died 1863)
Frederick Augustus was buried in the Roman Catholic Cathedral of Dresden.
See also
- Order of the Rue Crown
- History of Saxony
- Rulers of Saxony
- Dresden Castle – Residence of Frederick Augustus I
