How did Frederick the Great's policies affect Prussian peasants?

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Historical map showing the unification of Germany by Prussia in the late 19th century. The map highlights in green the Kingdom of Prussia as of 1866, and in yellow the additional territories that formed the German Empire by 1871-1918, encompassing most of north-central Europe. Neighboring countries such as France, Belgium, the Netherlands, Denmark, Sweden, Russia, Austria-Hungary, and Switzerland are labeled, with major regions and states within the empire clearly marked. — Prussia The unification of Germany by Prussia, which brought most of north-central Europe into one kingdom.

Frederick the Great’s policies toward Prussian peasants were primarily shaped by his overriding goal to maintain a powerful military state. Because the army was recruited almost entirely from the countryside, the peasantry bore the most onerous burdens of his reign.1

While Frederick personally disliked serfdom, he viewed the Junker nobility as essential to the state's survival and refused to disrupt the existing social order. Consequently, his efforts to improve the lives of peasants were largely symbolic or motivated by practical military needs:

Protective Decrees: In 1749 and 1764, he issued decrees limiting peasant obligations to landlords, and in 1748, he ordered officers not to treat soldiers like serfs. These measures were intended to prevent the peasantry from becoming so desperate that they would flee, thereby ensuring a steady supply of recruits.1
Limited Reforms: Following the Seven Years' War, he attempted to abolish serfdom in Pomerania and improve tenure security in Upper Silesia, but these efforts had little practical impact.1
Economic Integration: To mitigate the strain of military service, soldiers were integrated into the economy, spending part of the year in agricultural or urban employment.1