Frederick III, German Emperor facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Frederick III
Frederick as Crown Prince, c. 1878
German Emperor King of Prussia
Reign	9 March 1888 – 15 June 1888
Predecessor	Wilhelm I
Successor	Wilhelm II
Chancellor	Otto von Bismarck
Born	Prince Frederick William of Prussia (1831-10-18)18 October 1831 New Palace, Potsdam, Kingdom of Prussia
Died	15 June 1888(1888-06-15) (aged 56) New Palace, Potsdam, Prussia, German Empire
Burial	18 June 1888 Friedenskirche, and then in a mausoleum attached to the church, Potsdam
Spouse	Victoria, Princess Royal ​ (m. 1858)​
Issue	Wilhelm II, German Emperor Charlotte, Duchess of Saxe-Meiningen Prince Henry Prince Sigismund Viktoria, Princess Adolf of Schaumburg-Lippe Prince Waldemar Sophia, Queen of the Hellenes Margaret, Landgravine of Hesse
House	Hohenzollern
Father	William I, German Emperor
Mother	Princess Augusta of Saxe-Weimar-Eisenach
Religion	Lutheranism (Prussian United)
Signature

Frederick III (born Friedrich Wilhelm Nikolaus Karl; October 18, 1831 – June 15, 1888) was the German Emperor and King of Prussia for a very short time in 1888. He reigned for only 99 days, during what is known as the "Year of the Three Emperors."

Frederick was the only son of Emperor Wilhelm I. He grew up in a family that valued military service. As a young man, he was known for his leadership in several wars, including the Second Schleswig War, Austro-Prussian War, and Franco-Prussian War. However, he actually disliked war and was praised for being kind and humane, even to his enemies.

In 1871, Germany became a unified empire. His father, who was already King of Prussia, became the first German Emperor. Frederick became Crown Prince, meaning he was next in line for the throne. He held this title for many years. When his father died in March 1888, Frederick became Emperor.

Sadly, Frederick was suffering from cancer of the larynx (throat cancer) when he became emperor. He died at age 56, just 99 days after taking the throne.

Frederick married Victoria, Princess Royal, who was the oldest child of Queen Victoria of the United Kingdom. They were a good match and shared similar ideas about how the government should work. They both believed in liberalism, which meant they wanted ordinary people to have more say in the government. Even though Frederick came from a military family, he developed liberal views because of his connections to Britain and his studies at the University of Bonn.

As Crown Prince, Frederick often disagreed with the powerful German chancellor, Otto von Bismarck. Bismarck believed in uniting Germany through force, but Frederick wanted a more peaceful approach. He also thought the chancellor's power should be limited. Many people in Germany and Britain hoped that Frederick would make the German Empire more liberal when he became emperor.

Frederick and Victoria admired Prince Albert, Queen Victoria's husband. They planned to rule together, like Victoria's parents, and change some parts of the government that Bismarck had created. They wanted to replace the chancellor's office with a system like Britain's, where ministers were responsible to the parliament (the Reichstag).

However, Frederick's illness stopped him from making these big changes. The few changes he did make were later undone by his son, Wilhelm II. Historians often wonder what might have happened if Frederick had lived longer. Many believe his early death was a turning point in German history, and that he might have made the Empire more liberal.

Life and Education

Growing Up in Prussia

Frederick William, around 1841

Frederick William was born on October 18, 1831, in the New Palace in Potsdam, Prussia. He belonged to the House of Hohenzollern, the ruling family of Prussia. At the time, Prussia was the strongest German state.

Frederick's father, Prince William, was a strict military man. His mother, Princess Augusta of Saxe-Weimar, came from a more artistic and intellectual background. She was known for her liberal ideas. Because his parents had very different personalities, Frederick grew up in a somewhat difficult home. He had a sister, Louise, who was seven years younger and very close to him.

A Time of Change

Frederick grew up during a time when new ideas were spreading in Germany. People wanted more freedom and a unified Germany. They wanted a constitutional monarchy, which meant a king or queen would rule, but their power would be limited by a constitution. This constitution would protect people's rights.

When Frederick was 17, these ideas led to uprisings across Europe. People wanted freedoms like the right to gather and a free press. Even though these uprisings didn't bring big changes right away, liberal ideas stayed important in German politics throughout Frederick's life.

Schooling and New Ideas

Crown Prince Frederick William of Prussia, 1867, by Oskar Begas

Even though his family valued military training, Frederick's mother insisted he also get a classical education. So, Frederick learned about both military traditions and subjects like history and languages. He was a talented student, especially good at English and French. He also studied history, geography, physics, music, and religion.

At age 10, he became a second lieutenant in the army. But when he was 18, he did something unusual for a Prussian prince: he went to the University of Bonn. There, he studied history, law, and public policy. His time at the university and the influence of his more liberal family members helped him develop his own liberal beliefs.

In 1853, Frederick joined Freemasonry, a social and charitable organization, like his father. Later, he became a leader of the German Freemasons.

Marriage and Family Life

Victoria, Princess Royal—eldest daughter of Queen Victoria of the United Kingdom—whom Frederick married in 1858

In the 1800s, royal marriages were often arranged to create alliances between countries. In 1851, Queen Victoria of the United Kingdom and her husband, Prince Albert, planned for their oldest daughter, Victoria, Princess Royal, to marry Frederick. They wanted to keep their family ties to Germany strong. Prince Albert also hoped this marriage would help Prussia become more liberal and modern.

Frederick's mother, Princess Augusta, really liked the idea of a marriage that would bring closer ties with Britain. In 1851, she sent Frederick to England. He was supposed to visit the Great Exhibition, but his mother also hoped he would be influenced by Britain's liberal ideas. Frederick met Princess Victoria, who was only eleven at the time. He was impressed by her intelligence and simple nature. They started writing letters to each other.

Frederick proposed to Victoria in 1855 when she was 14. They got married on January 25, 1858, in London. Even though it was an arranged marriage, they were very happy together. Victoria also had a liberal education and shared Frederick's views.

They had eight children:

• Wilhelm (born 1859)
• Charlotte (born 1860)
• Henry (born 1862)
• Sigismund (born 1864, died at age 2)
• Victoria (born 1866)
• Waldemar (born 1868, died at age 11)
• Sophia (born 1870)
• Margaret (born 1872)

Their oldest son, Wilhelm, had a withered arm from birth. Wilhelm did not share his parents' liberal ideas. He was very different from them, and this caused problems between them throughout their lives.

Religion

Emperor Frederick III was a Lutheran Christian. He belonged to a church that brought together both Reformed and Lutheran believers.

Crown Prince of Prussia

Early Years as Crown Prince

William allowed Frederick few official duties, such as attending balls and socializing with dignitaries (painting by Anton von Werner).

When his father became King William I in 1861, Frederick became the Crown Prince. He was 29 years old and would be Crown Prince for 27 more years. At first, many hoped his father would bring in liberal policies. Frederick himself agreed with liberal ideas for Germany.

However, King William I preferred conservative ways. He often argued with the Prussian parliament (the Diet). In 1862, William even threatened to give up his throne because the Diet wouldn't fund his army plans. Frederick was upset by this. Instead of abdicating, William appointed Otto von Bismarck as Minister-President. Bismarck was a strong leader who often ignored the Diet. This put Frederick at odds with his father and Bismarck.

Frederick wanted to unite Germany peacefully, through "moral conquests." But Bismarck's policy of "blood and iron" (meaning war and military strength) won out. Frederick spoke out against Bismarck's limits on press freedom, which made Bismarck his enemy and angered his father. Because of this, Frederick was kept out of political power for most of his father's reign. He continued his military duties and represented Germany at important events. He spent a lot of time in Britain, where Queen Victoria often asked him to represent her.

Military Leadership

Frederick fought in three wars: against Denmark, Austria, and France. Even though he didn't want these wars to happen, he fully supported the Prussian military once they started. He took on important command roles. Since he had little political influence, these wars were a chance for him to prove himself.

He first saw combat in the Second Schleswig War. He helped manage disagreements among the officers. The Prussians and their allies defeated the Danes.

Next came the Austro-Prussian War. Frederick was the only one in the Prussian Crown Council who didn't want war with Austria. He called it "fratricide," meaning killing a brother. He wanted Germany to unite, but not through war.

However, when the war started, he commanded one of Prussia's three armies. His army's timely arrival was key to the Prussian victory at the Battle of Königgrätz in 1866. But the bloodshed saddened him greatly. He wrote to his wife, hoping it would be his last war.

20 August 1870, Illustrated London News celebrates the Crown Prince's Franco-Prussian War achievements

Four years later, Frederick fought in the Franco-Prussian War of 1870. He commanded the Third Army and was praised for his leadership. He won battles at Wissembourg and Wörth, and later at the Battle of Sedan and during the siege of Paris. He was promoted to field marshal.

Frederick was known for treating his enemies kindly. A journalist saw him visiting wounded soldiers and praised his actions. After one victory, Frederick told two French journalists, "I do not like war gentlemen. If I should reign I would never make it." Another journalist noted that Frederick showed "countless traits of kindness and humanity." For his actions, The Times newspaper praised him in 1871.

Crown Prince of the German Empire

Frederick as Crown Prince, 1874, by Heinrich von Angeli

Friedrich III in Garter Ceremonial Robes

In 1871, after Prussia's victories, the German states united to form the German Empire. Frederick's father, William, became the Emperor, and Frederick became the heir. Bismarck, who was now the Chancellor, didn't like Frederick's liberal views.

Frederick often disagreed with his father and Bismarck. He sided with liberals who opposed expanding the army. He also worked on many public projects, like building schools and churches. He helped acquire many art collections for Berlin's new Kaiser Friedrich Museum. In 1878, when his father was injured, Frederick briefly took over his duties, but was soon pushed aside again.

Anton von Werner's depiction of William's proclamation as Emperor. Frederick is standing behind his father, while his brother-in-law, the Grand Duke of Baden leads the cheering.

Frederick and Victoria also stood up against people who were trying to harm German Jews. Victoria wrote that she was ashamed of her country because some people were "so hatefully towards people of a different faith." In 1880, Frederick and Victoria attended a synagogue service in Berlin to show their support for tolerance. Frederick gave a speech calling the anti-Jewish movement "a shameful blot on our time." He said he was ashamed of the "agitation against Jews" that was happening. In 1881, they went to another synagogue service and Frederick spoke out for "poor, ill-treated Jews" in Europe. Queen Victoria thanked him for his speech. However, many conservative Germans criticized Frederick for supporting the Jews. His oldest son, Wilhelm, even called his father weak and controlled by his British wife and the Jews.

Illness and Decline

Morell Mackenzie, whose treatment of Frederick caused controversy

Frederick had been a heavy smoker for many years. In early 1887, he became very hoarse. Doctors thought it was a throat infection. After some unsuccessful treatments, doctors diagnosed the growth in his throat as laryngeal cancer (throat cancer). They suggested a surgery to remove his larynx (voice box).

Frederick and his wife decided to get a second opinion from a British cancer specialist, Morell Mackenzie. Mackenzie did a biopsy (taking a small tissue sample) and sent it to a pathologist. The pathologist couldn't find any cancer cells. So, Mackenzie advised against the surgery, saying Frederick would recover in a few months. Bismarck also opposed a major operation.

Frederick traveled to London to see Mackenzie again. Mackenzie removed most of the growth. Frederick spent some time recovering. However, the growth reappeared, which was a bad sign that it was indeed cancerous.

Professor Ernst von Bergmann, who attended to Frederick throughout his illness

Frederick's condition worsened. He lost his voice completely and felt severe pain. Doctors now agreed that it was cancer and that a total laryngectomy was needed to save his life. Frederick was heartbroken by the news. He decided against the risky surgery, but agreed to a tracheotomy (a hole in his windpipe) if he had trouble breathing.

The news caused anger in Berlin, with some blaming Victoria. Some even suggested Frederick should give up his place in line for the throne. But Bismarck insisted that Frederick would become emperor regardless of his health.

Photograph of Crown Prince Frederick, around 1887

In early 1888, Frederick's hoarseness returned, and he developed a throat infection. He couldn't speak, had bad headaches, and couldn't sleep. On February 8, he had the tracheotomy. A tube was put in his throat to help him breathe. For the rest of his life, he couldn't speak and had to communicate by writing.

Even after the tracheotomy, Frederick continued to have fevers and headaches. Doctors confirmed that the cancer had spread.

Brief Reign and Death

Post mortem portrait of Emperor Frederick III, 1888

Three days after his cancer was confirmed, his father, Emperor William I, died on March 9, 1888. Frederick became German Emperor and King of Prussia. His son, Wilhelm, sent him the news in Italy. Frederick wrote in his diary that he had "ascended the throne of my forefathers."

People who wanted progress in Germany hoped Frederick's reign would bring liberal changes. Frederick wanted to limit the chancellor's power, but his illness prevented him from doing much. He did manage to force a minister to resign when there was evidence of election interference. Dr. Mackenzie noted that the emperor felt a strong sense of duty. Empress Victoria wrote that Frederick was able to work, but not being able to speak was very difficult. Frederick had the desire to make changes but not enough time. He sadly said in May 1888, "I cannot die ... What would happen to Germany?"

By April 1888, Frederick was too weak to walk and mostly stayed in bed. The cancer spread, making it hard for him to eat. He suffered from vomiting and fevers. He wrote his last diary entry on June 11: "What's happening to me? I must get well again; I have so much to do!"

Frederick III died in Potsdam on June 15, 1888, at 11:30 a.m. His 29-year-old son, Wilhelm II, became the new emperor. Frederick III is buried in a special mausoleum next to the Friedenskirche church in Potsdam. After his death, a British politician called him the "Barbarossa of German liberalism." Empress Victoria continued to share Frederick's ideas, but she no longer had power in the government.

Legacy

Kaiser-Friedrich-Mausoleum (Potsdam): Frederick is entombed in this sarcophagus, which bears his likeness on top.

Frederick as Crown Prince, by Sergei Lvovich Levitsky, 1870 (The Di Rocco Wieler Private Collection, Toronto, Canada)

Frederick believed that a country's government should listen to its people. He had always been liberal and had discussed his plans with Victoria before he became emperor. He admired Prince Albert and the British parliamentary system. Frederick and Victoria planned to rule together and make Germany more liberal by appointing ministers who shared their views. They wanted to greatly reduce the power of the Chancellor and make Germany more like a liberal democracy.

Many historians believe that Frederick's early death stopped Germany from becoming more liberal. They think that if he had lived longer and been healthier, he might have prevented Germany from becoming so militaristic, which could have stopped World War I. Some historians even suggest that he might have prevented the rise of Adolf Hitler and World War II.

United States magazine Puck mourning the passing of Frederick

However, other historians disagree. They believe Frederick wouldn't have been able to change Germany's direction, even if he had lived longer. They point out that he was a soldier and deeply rooted in his family's military traditions. Some say he often followed his father's and Bismarck's policies earlier in his life. Others argue that Frederick was too weak to bring about real change. They also suggest that his liberal image might have been made stronger after his death, especially because of the mistakes made by his son, Wilhelm II.

Frederick's children, especially Wilhelm, had a big impact on Europe. Unlike his father, Wilhelm had not experienced the horrors of war. He loved his family's military heritage and was influenced by Bismarck. Bismarck, who disliked Frederick's and Victoria's liberal ways, tried to increase the tension between Wilhelm and his parents. Wilhelm grew up disagreeing with his parents' ideas about government. After his father's death, he said he would follow his grandfather's path, not his father's. Wilhelm II abandoned Frederick's policies and eventually led Germany into World War I.

Bismarck's plan to weaken Frederick and Victoria, and to use Wilhelm II to keep his own power, eventually led to Bismarck's own downfall. Wilhelm also believed the chancellor's position was too strong and should be changed to give the Emperor more power.

Churches named after Frederick include the Kaiser-Friedrich-Gedächtniskirche in Berlin. Mount Frederick William in Canada is also named in his honor.

Titles, Styles and Honours

Titles and Styles

• 18 October 1831 – 2 January 1861: His Royal Highness Prince Frederick William of Prussia
• 2 January 1861 – 18 January 1871: His Royal Highness The Crown Prince of Prussia
• 18 January 1871 – 9 March 1888: His Imperial and Royal Highness The German Crown Prince, Crown Prince of Prussia
• 9 March 1888 – 15 June 1888: His Imperial and Royal Majesty The German Emperor, King of Prussia

Honours

German decorations

Foreign decorations

Issue

Image	Name	Birth	Death	Notes
	Wilhelm II, German Emperor	27 January 1859	4 June 1941	married (1), 27 February 1881, Princess Auguste Viktoria of Schleswig-Holstein; died 1921; had issue (2), 9 November 1922, Princess Hermine Reuss of Greiz, no issue
	Charlotte, Duchess of Saxe-Meiningen	24 July 1860	1 October 1919	married, 18 February 1878, Bernhard III, Duke of Saxe-Meiningen; had issue
	Prince Henry of Prussia	14 August 1862	20 April 1929	married, 24 May 1888, his first cousin Princess Irene of Hesse and by Rhine; had issue
	Prince Sigismund of Prussia	15 September 1864	18 June 1866	died of meningitis at 21 months. First grandchild of Queen Victoria to die.
	Viktoria, Princess Adolf of Schaumburg-Lippe	12 April 1866	13 November 1929	married (1), 19 November 1890, Prince Adolf of Schaumburg-Lippe; he died 1916; no issue (2), 19 November 1927, Alexander Zoubkov; no issue
	Prince Waldemar of Prussia	10 February 1868	27 March 1879	died of diphtheria at age 11
	Sophia, Queen of the Hellenes	14 June 1870	13 January 1932	married, 27 October 1889, Constantine I, King of the Hellenes; had issue
	Margaret, Landgravine of Hesse-Kassel, Queen of Finland	22 April 1872	22 January 1954	married, 25 January 1893, Prince Frederick Charles of Hesse, king-elect of Finland, later Landgrave of Hesse-Kassel; had issue

See also

In Spanish: Federico III de Alemania para niños

• "A Legend of Old Egypt"—an 1888 short story by Bolesław Prus, inspired by Frederick III's tragic premature death.