Frederick William I of Prussia, born on 14 August 1688 in Berlin, was the son of King Frederick I and Princess Sophia Charlotte of Hanover. He was raised by the Huguenot governess Marthe de Roucoulle. His political awareness developed during the Great Northern War, particularly during a plague outbreak that exposed corruption among government officials. This experience motivated him to challenge inefficiency in governance, leading to the downfall of the corrupt minister Johann Kasimir Kolbe von Wartenberg. Following this incident, Frederick William became more involved in politics, and his father began to grant him greater authority.Ascending the throne in 1713, Frederick William I dismissed his father's corrupt administration and focused on reorganizing the state's finances, which had been severely damaged by his father's extravagant spending. He prioritized military reform, expanding the Prussian Army from 38,000 to 80,000 soldiers by 1740, and implemented a system that required military service from the peasant class while replacing it with a tax for the middle class. He also established schools and hospitals, promoted agriculture, and improved commerce by reclaiming marshes and regulating grain storage and sales.Frederick William I increased state income through excise taxes and imposed a land tax on the nobility. He created a detailed manual for public servants, outlining their duties and penalties for noncompliance. His governance was characterized by a strong central authority and a commitment to absolute monarchy. He also engaged in colonial affairs, revoking the charter of the Brandenburg Africa Company and selling the Brandenburg Gold Coast to the Dutch West India Company in 1717 to focus resources on military expansion.In 1732, he invited Salzburg Protestants to settle in East Prussia, which had suffered population loss due to plague. He also initiated the construction of the Dutch Quarter in Potsdam, attracting Dutch craftsmen. Frederick William briefly intervened in the Great Northern War, gaining territory in Swedish Pomerania, and implemented significant reforms in military training and tactics, including the introduction of the canton system. His reforms laid the groundwork for a formidable military that would later be utilized by his son, Frederick the Great.Frederick William I was known for his harsh temperament, which was exacerbated by health issues, including gout and obesity. He had a notable disdain for France and was known to react violently to perceived slights. He married Sophia Dorothea of Hanover in 1706, and their marriage was marked by tension, particularly regarding their son Frederick II, whose interests diverged from his father's militaristic ideals. Frederick William's relationship with Frederick was fraught with conflict, leading to severe punishments and a strained dynamic.Frederick William I died on 31 May 1740 and was buried at the Garrison Church in Potsdam. His reign was marked by military and administrative reforms that solidified Prussia's status as a regional power. He was succeeded by his son, Frederick the Great.