Frederick William, Elector of Brandenburg

High school (ages 12+)
History & Culture

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Step 1 · Read the article

Open the article and read it at the level above. Then answer the questions below in your own words.

https://smallwhale.org/articles/frederick-william-elector-of-brandenburg

Write what each word means, using the article.

Do not copy the article. Write two things you learned, the way you would explain them to a friend.

Answers below are taken from the article’s stored facts, so they match what the student read.

1. When was Frederick William, Elector of Brandenburg born?February 16, 1620
2. Where was Frederick William, Elector of Brandenburg born?Berlin, Brandenburg
3. When did Frederick William, Elector of Brandenburg die?April 29, 1688
4. What is the ruled?Elector of Brandenburg and Duke of Prussia from 1640 to 1688
5. Who was Frederick William, the Great Elector?Frederick William was a ruler of Brandenburg and Prussia, born in 1620. He ruled from 1640 to 1688 and is famous for making his land very strong and important.
6. Why did Frederick William build a strong army?He wanted to protect his people and make his country powerful. A strong army helped keep his land safe from other countries.

House of Hohenzollern: The ruling dynasty that governed Brandenburg, Prussia, and later Germany for centuries.
Thirty Years' War: A devastating conflict (1618-1648) fought primarily in Central Europe, which significantly impacted Frederick William's inheritance.
Calvinism: A Protestant theological system and branch of the Reformation, emphasizing God's sovereignty and predestination.
Edict of Potsdam: A decree issued in 1685 offering asylum and privileges to Huguenot refugees fleeing persecution.