How did the First Partition of Poland expand Prussia in 1772?

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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.

In the First Partition of Poland in 1772, Prussia expanded its territory by acquiring the economically valuable province of Royal Prussia, though this acquisition notably excluded the cities of Gdańsk and Toruń. Additionally, Prussia gained the northern portion of the region of Great Poland (Wielkopolska).1

This territorial expansion was orchestrated by Frederick II (the Great), who sought to stabilize Austro-Russian relations by redirecting Russian expansionist interests away from the Ottoman Empire and toward the structurally weak Polish state. By participating in this partition, Prussia significantly increased its resources and land area, marking a shift in the state's focus eastward and away from the internal affairs of the Holy Roman Empire.12