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Why did Frederick William make a secret alliance with France in 1679?

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Frederick William, the Elector of Brandenburg, entered into a secret alliance with France in 1679 because he decided to pursue through cooperation what he had failed to achieve by opposing the French.1

Following his disappointment in the Peace of Saint-Germain-en-Laye, where he was forced to yield his territorial gains in western Pomerania under French pressure, he sought to change his diplomatic approach. By forming this secret pact, he committed to supporting French candidates in upcoming elections for the emperor and the king of Poland in exchange for large financial subsidies.21

The Elector maintained this alliance as long as he believed that Louis XIV would assist him in securing possession of western Pomerania. When it became clear that this expectation would not be met, he abandoned the partnership in 1685.1