How did Frederick William’s years in Holland influence his ideas about trade and military organization?

Frederick William’s formative years in Holland, spent between the University of Leiden and the court of Frederick Henry of Orange at The Hague, profoundly shaped his vision for the future of Brandenburg.1

His experiences left him with several lasting impressions that influenced his governance:

• Trade and Commerce: He was deeply impressed by Holland’s maritime and commercial power. This inspired a strong desire to open Brandenburg to international and maritime trade, leading him to pursue systematic colonization, the construction of canals to improve trade routes, and the establishment of factories based on mercantilist models.12
• Military Organization: Frederick William was influenced by the Dutch Republic’s pioneering achievements in military technology and organization. Recognizing that he could not be master of his own house without a reliable force, he utilized these observations to organize his own standing army. This military institution became the core of the 18th-century Prussian army and served as a vital tool for centralizing his administration and overcoming the privileges of provincial estates.13

Additionally, his time in Holland fostered a lasting personal preference for Dutch agriculture and architecture, which he sought to integrate into his own domains.1