How did Frederick II contribute to the Austro-Prussian rivalry?

Frederick II significantly intensified the Austro-Prussian rivalry through his aggressive foreign policy and military actions, which transformed Prussia into a major European power at the expense of the Habsburg monarchy.12

His primary contributions to this conflict included:

• The Silesian Wars: Shortly after his accession in 1740, Frederick invaded the wealthy Austrian province of Silesia, exploiting the vulnerability of Maria Theresa following the death of Charles VI. This initiated the Silesian Wars, which spanned the War of the Austrian Succession and the Seven Years’ War, ultimately securing Silesia for Prussia.123
• Preventive Military Action: In 1756, fearing a hostile coalition, Frederick launched a preemptive invasion of Saxony and Bohemia, further deepening the enmity between the two powers.1
• War of the Bavarian Succession: Later in his reign, Frederick blocked Joseph II of Austria’s attempt to acquire Bavaria, successfully preventing Austria from restoring its dominant position in Germany.4

These actions established a long-standing struggle for leadership in Germany, which persisted until Prussia eventually excluded Austria from German affairs in the 19th century.5