Frederick William I of Prussia

Upon ascending the throne, Frederick William I drastically cut court spending, selling off royal luxuries and reducing the court staff. He redirected the savings to the military and state administration. This fiscal austerity created a large treasury surplus and made Prussia financially independent.

Frederick William I issued a decree making primary education compulsory for all children in Prussia. This was one of the first state-mandated education systems in Europe. While implementation was uneven, it laid the foundation for Prussia's high literacy rates and later educational excellence.

Frederick William I established the General Directory (Generaldirektorium), a centralized administrative body that managed the state's finances, military, and economy. This reform created an efficient, bureaucratic state apparatus that became the model for Prussian governance and enabled the maintenance of a large standing army.

Frederick William I expanded the Prussian army from 38,000 to 80,000 men, making it the fourth-largest army in Europe despite Prussia being the tenth-largest state by population. He introduced the canton system of conscription and drilled the army to a high standard of discipline, earning him the nickname 'The Soldier King'.