He increased and modernized the Prussian [[army]] and turned Prussia into a world power. He fought to oppose [[Austria|Austrian]] ambitions, and earned a great reputation as a military commander in the [[War of the Austrian Succession]] (1740-1748). The war netted him Silesia and some other smaller gains. | He increased and modernized the Prussian [[army]] and turned Prussia into a world power. He fought to oppose [[Austria|Austrian]] ambitions, and earned a great reputation as a military commander in the [[War of the Austrian Succession]] (1740-1748). The war netted him Silesia and some other smaller gains. |