King of Prussia (1740–86). On his succession Frederick promptly claimed Silesia, launching Europe into the War of the Austrian Succession (1740–48). During the Seven Years War (1756–63), he joined with Britain and Hanover against a coalition of France, Russia, Austria, Spain, Sweden, and Saxony, and succeeded in considerably strengthening Prussia’s position. By the end of his reign he had doubled the area of his country. He was a distinguished patron of the arts.