George Washington and Frederick the Great: Parallel Lives - Hardcover

Overhoff, Jürgen

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0691226717 ISBN 13: 9780691226712

Publisher: Princeton University Press, 2026

Synopsis

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, Jürgen 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.

About this title

About the Author

Jürgen Overhoff is professor of the history of education at the Universität Münster. His previously published books include a monograph on the political thought of Thomas Hobbes and a biography of Benjamin Franklin.

Edition details

• Publisher: Princeton University Press
• Publication date: 2026
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0691226717
• ISBN 13: 9780691226712
• Binding: Hardcover
• Number of pages: 344