alternatehistory.com

I saw this the other day. I'm not particularly knowledgable with this part of history, but the idea seemed interesting.

The Little said:
Frederick William was deeply disappointed by his son, the future Frederick the Great, who in youth seemed more interested in French culture, music, and literature than in the military virtues. The father’s disaffection turned to actual hatred, and his treatment became so harsh that the young prince decided to run away, with the aid of two accomplices, Lieutenants Katte and Keith. The plan was discovered; Keith escaped, but the prince and Katte were captured and court-martialed. Katte was sentenced to life imprisonment, Frederick to solitary confinement. Frederick William, deciding that Katte’s sentence was too lenient, had him beheaded in the presence of Prince Frederick. This drastic measure had the desired effect; Frederick asked the king’s pardon and began to apply himself to acquiring the Prussian military philosophy.

So, what if the executions have the opposite desired effect on Fredrick? What if being forced to witness the execution of his friend traumatizes Fredrick so much that he instead gains a hatred of the military and focuses even more time on the arts?

What does Prussia's future look like?
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