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The Great Elector - Online Term Paper

The Great Elector

The Great Elector

It is difficult to evaluate history or historical figures without bias and in terms of historical setting. However, this is exactly what Derek McKay attempts in his book, The Great Elector about Frederick William of Brandenburg. McKay's purpose is to provide a biography based on the circumstances of the time as well as what is known about the man without judgment concerning his effect on history. This is a difficult task, especially for a person whose epithet, 'the Great Elector' contains an inherent judgment and presumptive bias, albeit the epithet was given to him by contemporaries.
To be an Elector was to be one of seven persons of power able to vote for or ...

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a Prussian Duchy from the Polish King by 1660 (104). He established Berlin as the political center of an absolute monarchy by dissolving the Prussian Diet and instituting a system of taxation.
In reading McKay's book, the question of ethical leadership rises to the top of concerns. Was Frederick William a good leader? Certainly it could be argued from a historical context that he set the stage for later nationalistic and militaristic tendencies of the German State. It could also be argued that he took a war torn territory and brought it to a place of productivity and security. In establishing his authority, did he become a Prince of Europe in the Machiavellian sense of the word? If the enlightenment definition of 'prince' were utilized, the answer would have to be, "yes". McKay (as well as history itself) declares William as successful, inferring that his methods were appropriate to the time and place.
McKay introduces a number of issues through the use of political ...

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PAPER DETAILS

Added: 3/15/2016 03:58:15 AM
Category: Book Reports
Type: Premium Paper
Words: 1155
Pages: 5

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