How can Prussia ascend to be a great power, or at the very least, an influential power in Europe, without Frederick II/the Great?
How can Prussia ascend to be a great power, or at the very least, an influential power in Europe, without Frederick II/the Great?
How can Prussia ascend to be a great power, or at the very least, an influential power in Europe, without Frederick II/the Great?
Silesia was just a target of opportunity. Arguably, the conquest didn't do Prussia much good, either, considering the horrific beating it took in the next few decades. It will need some kind of territorial enlargement to count among the truly great powers, but there are other avenues. Personally, I would favour a conquest of Saxony, but that has its own problems. Poland is too powerful and too big to swallow up in the early 18th century, and I can't see Austria or Russia accept a Saxon-style attempt at a Hohenzollern king (though I'd love to read a good TL on the attempt).
The Prussian expansion into northwestern Germany would be politically unrealistic, but definitely something that would be fun to play with. They had Jülich, Kleve and Berg, and some holdings in East Frisia, but the areas between are so thoroughly fragmented that getting hold of any cohesive territory would require either a few centuries' worth of politicking and lucky marriages, or a successful conquest of Mecklenburg, Bremen and Hannover. I can't see that, given who's standing behind Hanover. Big previous PODs required. Perhaps an alt-Prussia that turns into a French client state? The French would be happy to see the Netherlands flanked and England's continental power abrogated. Buit that's going beyond the scope of the thread, I suppose.
The main problem IMO is that a succesful rise out of second-tier position requires ruthlessness and a big political gamble. Frederick II was an utterly amoral man willing to run crazy risks. Would any other kings be? I don't think Henry is that kind of guy.
Meanwhile, there is no rivaly with France and an French alliance would help immensely against an Austrian reconquest of Silesia or British-backed Hanoverian desires in Northern Germany. So he advises to keep good connections with Versailles and Sankt Petersburg.