When you think of the American Revolution and its aftermath, names like George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, and Benjamin Franklin naturally come to mind. But did you know that two prominent figures from Prussia—Baron von Steuben and Prince Heinrich, the brother of Frederick the Great—played pivotal roles in shaping America’s early history? One helped secure American independence, while the other was briefly considered to rule the fledgling nation.
Baron von Steuben: From Prussian Soldier to American Hero
A Life of Service in Prussia
Baron Friedrich Wilhelm von Steuben, born in Magdeburg, Prussia, in 1730, was a seasoned military officer by the time he encountered America. As a young man, Steuben served under Frederick the Great during the Seven Years’ War, where he honed his skills in strategy, discipline, and training. After the war, he struggled to find stable employment in Prussia due to military downsizing and internal court politics, which left many talented officers without posts.
Despite his impressive resume, Steuben's career in Europe stagnated. His open homosexuality and personal scandals made it difficult for him to secure prominent roles, but his brilliance as a military mind remained unquestioned. In 1777, seeking a fresh start, Steuben sailed for America, armed with a letter of recommendation from Benjamin Franklin. His arrival would change the course of the Revolutionary War.
The Prussian Army: A Model of Military Excellence
Under Frederick the Great, Prussia’s military became one of the most formidable forces in Europe, renowned for its discipline, efficiency, and tactical brilliance. But the roots of this military excellence can be traced back to his father, Frederick William I, who laid the foundation for a highly professional and rigorously trained army. Known as the “Soldier King,” Frederick William I transformed Prussia into a militarized state, with the army as its core institution. He made military service not just a necessity but a way of life, ensuring that Prussia’s armed forces were larger and better-trained than many of its neighbors.
When Frederick the Great ascended to the throne in 1740, he inherited a military that was already one of the most disciplined in Europe, but he took it to unprecedented heights. His strategic genius, particularly in the Seven Years' War, cemented his reputation as one of history’s great military leaders.
Training Washington’s Troops
When Friedrich Wilhelm von Steuben arrived in America in 1777, the Continental Army was in disarray. Lacking proper training, organization, and even basic supplies, the soldiers often fought bravely but were ineffective against the seasoned British forces. The American military desperately needed the kind of discipline and structure that made the Prussian army so successful.
Baron von Steuben arrived at George Washington's winter encampment in Valley Forge in early 1778. With a combination of charisma, military expertise, and a no-nonsense attitude, Steuben transformed the ragtag Continental Army into a disciplined and effective fighting force. Steuben, who had been a staff officer in the Prussian army, was tasked with transforming Washington’s ragtag army into a fighting force capable of standing up to the British.
Drawing on the rigid training methods he had experienced in Prussia, Steuben introduced a system of drills that emphasized precision and order. He standardized the soldiers’ formation, teaching them how to march in unison, handle firearms efficiently, and work together as a cohesive unit. His drills, combined with a strict regimen of discipline, took the chaotic and underprepared American army and turned it into a more professional, effective fighting force. Through his efforts, Steuben not only improved the army’s skills but also instilled a sense of unity and confidence among the troops—crucial elements for the success of the Continental Army during the later stages of the war.
Steuben’s modernization of the Continental Army, modeled after the highly successful Prussian military structure, helped ensure that the American revolutionaries could hold their own against the world’s most powerful military of the time. And just as Frederick the Great’s Prussia had set the standard for European armies, Steuben’s efforts brought the Continental Army closer to the standards of the best-trained forces in the world.
Steuben’s Legacy in America
Baron von Steuben became a naturalized American citizen and spent his later years in New York. Today, his legacy lives on across the United States:
Places Named After Him: Steuben County in New York and Indiana, as well as the town of Steubenville, Ohio, honor his contributions.
Steuben Day Parades: Celebrated annually, especially in cities like New York and Chicago, these parades commemorate his role in American history.
Monuments: A prominent statue of Steuben stands in Washington, D.C., and another graces Potsdam, Germany, near Frederick the Great's palace. On my Potsdam tours, we visit this statue and discuss his incredible transatlantic legacy.
Prince Heinrich of Prussia: The Almost King of America
A Prussian Royal with Revolutionary Ideas
Prince Heinrich of Prussia, born in 1726, was the younger brother of Frederick the Great. While overshadowed by his famous sibling, Heinrich was a skilled military commander, diplomat, and intellectual. He played a crucial role in the Seven Years’ War, where his careful and defensive strategies won critical battles while minimizing casualties.
Heinrich was also an Enlightenment thinker, an active Freemason, and an advocate for reform. Known for his open homosexuality, he lived authentically in an era when such openness was rare among European royals.
The Proposal to Make Him King of America
In 1786, as the fledgling United States struggled to stabilize its government, some American leaders considered abandoning republican ideals in favor of monarchy. Nathaniel Gorham, then-president of the Continental Congress, and Baron von Steuben were reportedly involved in exploring the idea of inviting Prince Heinrich to become the king of America.
Why Heinrich? His military experience, diplomatic acumen, and progressive outlook made him an appealing candidate. Moreover, his Masonic ties and Enlightenment ideals resonated with many of the Founding Fathers, who were themselves influenced by these philosophies. While the proposal was ultimately abandoned, it’s a fascinating “what if” in American history.
The Letter That Revealed the "Prussian Scheme"
The most compelling evidence of the "Prussian Scheme" lies in an unsent draft letter discovered in German archives, addressed from Prince Henry of Prussia to Baron von Steuben. This letter provides a rare glimpse into the audacious proposal to offer the Prussian prince a hypothetical crown in America. Written in vague but revealing language, the letter refers to a “proposed fundamental change” in the U.S. government—a thinly veiled reference to the idea of replacing the fledgling republic with a monarchy.
Prince Henry expressed his disbelief at the proposal and unequivocally declined, noting that Americans, having just fought a revolution to escape monarchical rule, would not likely submit to another king.
One particularly intriguing aspect of the letter is its mention of a cipher, suggesting that the matter was considered so sensitive it required extreme confidentiality. This secrecy underlines how contentious and controversial such an offer would have been among both the American public and political leaders.
While the prince was reportedly flattered by the idea, his rejection stemmed not only from his doubts about American receptiveness but also from his own pragmatic reluctance to leave Prussia. Henry hinted that if a monarchy were to be implemented, a French candidate might be more acceptable—a suggestion that reflected Europe’s complex political rivalries at the time.
It’s important to note that this proposal was not just a product of isolated figures like Nathaniel Gorham or General von Steuben. The idea was reportedly floated to Alexander Hamilton as well, who, despite his own leanings toward a strong central government, may have found the notion of monarchy unpalatable. While we don't know Hamilton's exact response, the fact that the proposal was never fully pursued suggests that the idea was likely met with opposition, either from Hamilton or other influential Founding Fathers who remained committed to the republican ideals of the revolution.
Ultimately, the idea of a Prussian monarch for America faded into obscurity. The Founders, even those flirting with monarchist ideals like Nathaniel Gorham, recognized that the proposal was politically unfeasible. The discovery of Henry’s letter in the early 20th century confirmed that while the scheme was real, it was destined to fail. For a nation built on revolutionary ideals of self-governance, the notion of inviting a European prince to rule was anathema to its principles—no matter how desperate the times.
Where to See Their Legacies Today
In Berlin: On my Berlin tours, we visit the Palais des Prinzen Heinrich, now the main building of Humboldt University. Built for Heinrich by his brother, this grand structure reflects his refined tastes and cultural legacy.
In Potsdam: We explore monuments to Frederick the Great and Steuben, connecting Prussian history to its surprising American influence.
Why This Story Matters
The shared ideals of the Enlightenment, the Freemason connections between Europe and America, and the military brilliance of figures like Steuben and Heinrich show how deeply intertwined American and Prussian histories are. Without Steuben’s discipline, the Continental Army might never have succeeded. And who knows how differently American history might have unfolded if Heinrich had worn the crown?
Whether you’re intrigued by military history, the Enlightenment, or stories of untold possibilities, the stories of Steuben and Heinrich reveal just how global the American Revolution truly was.
Comments