Frederick II (9 July 1857 – 9 August 1928; ) was the last sovereign

Grand Duke of Baden The Grand Duchy of Baden () was a German polity on the east bank of the Rhine. It originally existed as a sovereign state from 1806 to 1871 and later as part of the German Empire until 1918. The duchy's 12th-century origins were as a margravi ...

, reigning from 1907 until the abolition of the

German German(s) may refer to: * Germany, the country of the Germans and German things **Germania (Roman era) * Germans, citizens of Germany, people of German ancestry, or native speakers of the German language ** For citizenship in Germany, see also Ge ...

monarchies in 1918. The

Weimar Weimar is a city in the state (Germany), German state of Thuringia, in Central Germany (cultural area), Central Germany between Erfurt to the west and Jena to the east, southwest of Leipzig, north of Nuremberg and west of Dresden. Together w ...

-era

state State most commonly refers to: * State (polity), a centralized political organization that regulates law and society within a territory **Sovereign state, a sovereign polity in international law, commonly referred to as a country **Nation state, a ...

Baden Baden (; ) is a historical territory in southern Germany. In earlier times it was considered to be on both sides of the Upper Rhine, but since the Napoleonic Wars, it has been considered only East of the Rhine. History The margraves of Ba ...

originated from the area of the

Grand Duchy of Baden The Grand Duchy of Baden () was a German polity on the east bank of the Rhine. It originally existed as a sovereign state from 1806 to 1871 and later as part of the German Empire until 1918. The duchy's 12th-century origins were as a Margravia ...

Life

''Friedrich "Fritz" Wilhelm Ludwig Leopold August Prinz von Baden'' was born on 9 July 1857, in

Karlsruhe Karlsruhe ( ; ; ; South Franconian German, South Franconian: ''Kallsruh'') is the List of cities in Baden-Württemberg by population, third-largest city of the States of Germany, German state of Baden-Württemberg, after its capital Stuttgart a ...

in the

Frederick I, Grand Duke of Baden Frederick I (; 9 September 1826 – 28 September 1907) was the Grand Duke of Baden from 1858 to 1907. Life Frederick was born in Karlsruhe, Baden, on 9 September 1826. He was the third son of Leopold, Grand Duke of Baden and Princess ...

and

Princess Louise of Prussia Louise of Prussia (Luise Marie Elisabeth; 3 December 1838 – 23 April 1923) was Grand Duchess of Baden from 1856 to 1907 as the wife of Grand Duke Frederick I. Princess Louise was the second child and only daughter of Wilhelm I, German E ...

. As a student at the

University of Heidelberg Heidelberg University, officially the Ruprecht Karl University of Heidelberg (; ), is a public university, public research university in Heidelberg, Baden-Württemberg, Germany. Founded in 1386 on instruction of Pope Urban VI, Heidelberg is List ...

, Frederick was a member of the Suevia Corps, a student fraternal organization. On 20 September 1885 in

Schloss Hohenburg Schloss Hohenburg is a Baroque architecture, Baroque ''schloss'' (palace) in Lenggries, Bavaria, Germany. History Construction by the Herwarth family Count Ferdinand Joseph von Herwarth had the palace built in classical Baroque style in 1712&nd ...

, he married

Princess Hilda of Nassau Princess Hilda Charlotte Wilhelmine of Nassau (5 November 1864 – 8 February 1952) was Grand Duchess of Baden from 28 September 1907 to 22 November 1918 as the consort of Grand Duke Frederick II. Hilda and Frederick were the last grand ducal ...

, the only daughter of the exiled Duke Adolphe of Nassau who later succeeded as Grand Duke of Luxembourg. There was no surviving issue from the marriage. Frederick became the head of the

House of Zähringen The House of Zähringen () was a dynasty of Duchy of Swabia, Swabian nobility. The family's name derived from Zähringen Castle near Freiburg im Breisgau. The Zähringer in the 12th century used the title of Duke of Zähringen, in compensation fo ...

on 28 September 1907, after the death of his father Frederick I, who was the sovereign grand duke of Baden reigning from 1856 to 1907. He abdicated on 22 November 1918, amidst the tumults of the

German Revolution of 1918–1919 German(s) may refer to: * Germany, the country of the Germans and German things **Germania (Roman era) * Germans, citizens of Germany, people of German ancestry, or native speakers of the German language ** For citizenship in Germany, see also Ge ...

which resulted in the abolition of the grand duchy. After the death of his cousin

Carola of Vasa Carola of Vasa (''Caroline Friederike Franziska Stephanie Amalie Cäcilie''; 5 August 1833 – 15 December 1907), was by birth a titular princess of Sweden and styled ''Princess of Vasa'' as member of the House of Holstein-Gottorp (Swedish li ...

, he became the representative of the descent of the

Kings of Sweden This list records the Monarchy of Sweden, monarchs of Sweden, from the late Viking Age to the present day. Sweden has continuously been a monarchy since the country's consolidation in the Viking Age and early Middle Ages, for over a thousand year ...

of the

House of Holstein-Gottorp Holstein-Gottorp () is the historiographical name, as well as contemporary shorthand name, for the parts of the duchies of Schleswig and Holstein, also known as Ducal Holstein, that were ruled by the dukes of Schleswig-Holstein-Gottorp, a side ...

Military Career

In October 1880, Frederick joined the Prussian Army as a soldier in the 1st Regiment of Foot Guards (''1. Garde-Regiment zu Fuß'') Potsdam. After his marriage in 1885, he was transferred to the 5th Baden Infantry Regiment No. 113 (''5. Badisches Infanterie-Regiment Nr. 113'') in

Freiburg im Breisgau Freiburg im Breisgau or simply Freiburg is the List of cities in Baden-Württemberg by population, fourth-largest city of the German state of Baden-Württemberg after Stuttgart, Mannheim and Karlsruhe. Its built-up area has a population of abou ...

. He took command of the regiment on 22 March 1889.Günter Wegner: ''Stellenbesetzung der Deutschen Heere 1815-1939. Band 2: Die Stellenbesetzung der aktiven Infanterie-Regimenter sowie Jäger- und MG-Battalione, Wehrbezirkskommandos und Ausbildungsleiter von der Stiftung bzw. Aufstellung bis 1939'', Biblio-Verlag, Osnabrück 1992, ISBN 3-7648-1782-8 The regiment's barracks were later named after him as the ''Erbgroßherzog-Friedrich-Kaserne''. Friedrich served in Berlin from 1891 to 1893 as commander of the 4th Guards Infantry Brigade.Günter Wegner: ''Stellenbesetzung der Deutschen Heere 1815-1939. Band 1: Die Höheren Kommandostellen'', Biblio-Verlag, Osnabrück 1990, ISBN 3-7648-1779-8 On 11 April 1893, he was named commander of the 29th Division in Freiburg. On 27 January 1897, Kaiser Wilhelm II appointed him commanding general of the VIII Army Corps (''VIII. Armeekorps'') in

Koblenz Koblenz ( , , ; Moselle Franconian language, Moselle Franconian: ''Kowelenz'') is a German city on the banks of the Rhine (Middle Rhine) and the Moselle, a multinational tributary. Koblenz was established as a Roman Empire, Roman military p ...

, where he was garrisoned until 1901. While in Koblenz,

Paul von Hindenburg Paul Ludwig Hans Anton von Beneckendorff und von Hindenburg (2 October 1847 – 2 August 1934) was a German military and political leader who led the Imperial German Army during the First World War and later became President of Germany (1919� ...

, among others, served as Chief of the General Staff under Friedrich's command. In 1902, Frederick left active army service because, as hereditary Grand Duke, he was expected to support the aging Grand Duke Frederick I in Karlsruhe and Kaiser Wilhelm II had refused his request to take command of the XIV Army Corps, which was headquartered in Baden and comprised the majority of Baden's contingent of the Prussian Army, for functional reasons. After leaving active military service, Frederick was promoted to ''

Generaloberst A ("colonel general") was the second-highest general officer rank in the German '' Reichswehr'' and ''Wehrmacht'', the Austro-Hungarian Common Army, the East German National People's Army and in their respective police services. The rank w ...

'' (Colonel General) with the rank of ''

Generalfeldmarschall ''Generalfeldmarschall'' (; from Old High German ''marahscalc'', "marshal, stable master, groom"; ; often abbreviated to ''Feldmarschall'') was a rank in the armies of several German states and the Holy Roman Empire, (''Reichsgeneralfeldmarsch ...

'' (Field Marshal). On 7 October 1907, he succeeded his father in the largely ceremonial position of ''Generalinpekteur'' (General Inspector) of the V Army Inspectorate in Karlsruhe. On mobilization at the end of July 1914, the V Army Inspectorate formed the core of the 7th Army, but command was passed to ''Generaloberst''

Josias von Heeringen Josias von Heeringen (9 March 1850 – 9 October 1926) was a German general of the imperial era who served as Prussian Minister of War and saw service in the First World War. Early life Heeringen was born in Kassel in the Electorate of Hesse. ...

, and for health reasons Grand Duke Frederick II was unable to serve again during the First World War. Friedrich held the following ranks during his military career: Emperor Wilhelm II of Germany with the Grand Duke Friedrich II of Baden

Emperor Wilhelm II of Germany with the Grand Duke Friedrich II of Baden

* 1875 : ''Sekondelieutenant'' (

Leutnant () is the lowest junior officer rank in the armed forces of Germany ( Bundeswehr), the Austrian Armed Forces, and the military of Switzerland. History The German noun (with the meaning "" (in English "deputy") from Middle High German «locum ...

) * 1881 : ''Premierlieutenant'' (

Oberleutnant (English: First Lieutenant) is a senior lieutenant Officer (armed forces), officer rank in the German (language), German-speaking armed forces of Germany (Bundeswehr), the Austrian Armed Forces, and the Swiss Armed Forces. In Austria, ''Oberle ...

) * 1882 : ''

Hauptmann () is an officer rank in the armies of Germany, Austria, and Switzerland. It is usually translated as ''captain''. Background While in contemporary German means 'main', it also has, and originally had, the meaning of 'head', i.e. ' literall ...

'' * 1884 : ''

Major Major most commonly refers to: * Major (rank), a military rank * Academic major, an academic discipline to which an undergraduate student formally commits * People named Major, including given names, surnames, nicknames * Major and minor in musi ...

'' * 1889 : ''

Oberst ''Oberst'' () is a senior field officer rank in several German language, German-speaking and Scandinavian countries, equivalent to Colonel. It is currently used by both the Army, ground and air forces of Austria, Germany, Switzerland, Denmark, a ...

'' * 1891 : ''

Generalmajor is the Germanic languages, Germanic variant of major general, used in a number of Central Europe, Central and Northern European countries. Austria Belgium Denmark is the second lowest general officer rank in the Royal Danish Army and R ...

'' * 1893 : ''

Generalleutnant () is the German-language variant of lieutenant general, used in some German speaking countries. Austria Generalleutnant is the second highest general officer rank in the Austrian Armed Forces (''Bundesheer''), roughly equivalent to the NATO ...

'' * 1897 : ''

General der Infanterie General of the infantry is a military rank of a General officer in the infantry and refers to: * General of the Infantry (Austria) * General of the Infantry (Bulgaria) * General of the Infantry (Germany) ('), a rank of a general in the German Impe ...

'' * 1905 : ''

with the rank of

Death

After his death in 1928, the headship of the house was transferred over to his first cousin who was the last Chancellor of

Imperial Germany The German Empire (),; ; World Book, Inc. ''The World Book dictionary, Volume 1''. World Book, Inc., 2003. p. 572. States that Deutsches Reich translates as "German Realm" and was a former official name of Germany. also referred to as Imperia ...

Prince Maximilian of Baden Maximilian, Margrave of Baden (''Maximilian Alexander Friedrich Wilhelm''; 10 July 1867 – 6 November 1929),Almanach de Gotha. ''Haus Baden (Maison de Bade)''. Justus Perthes (publishing company), Justus Perthes, Gotha, 1944, p. 18, (French). al ...

Honorary titles

Chief Chief may refer to: Title or rank Military and law enforcement * Chief master sergeant, the ninth, and highest, enlisted rank in the U.S. Air Force and U.S. Space Force * Chief of police, the head of a police department * Chief of the boat ...

of the 5th Baden Infantry Regiment No. 113 (''5. Badisches Infanterie-Regiment Nr. 113''), 22 March 1891. *

of the 1st Baden Life Guard Grenadier Regiment No. 109 (''1. Badisches Leib-Grenadier-Regiment Nr. 109''), 28 September 1907. *

of the 1st Baden Life Guard Dragoon Regiment No. 20 (''1. Badisches Leib-Dragoner-Regiment Nr. 20''), 28 September 1907.Günter Wegner: ''Stellenbesetzung der Deutschen Heere 1815-1939. Band 3: Die Stellenbesetzung der aktiven Regimenter, Battalione und Abteilungen von der Stiftung bzw. Aufstellung bis zum 26. August 1939'', Biblio-Verlag, Osnabrück 1993, ISBN 3-7648-2413-1 *

1st Baden Field Artillery Regiment "Grand Duke" No. 14 (''Feldartillerie-Regiment Großherzog (1. Badisches) Nr. 14''), 7 October 1907 *

Inhaber ''Inhaber'', or Proprietor, was a term used in the Habsburg military to denote special honors extended to a noble or aristocrat. The Habsburg army was organized on principles developed for the feudal armies in which regiments were raised by a weal ...

of the Bavarian 8th Infantry Regiment "Grand Duke Friedrich II of Baden" (''Königlich Bayerisches 8. Infanterie-Regiment „Großherzog Friedrich II. von Baden“''), 1907. *

of the 8th Württemberg Infantry Regiment "Grand Duke Friedrich of Baden" No. 126 (''Infanterie-Regiment „Großherzog Friedrich von Baden“ (8. Württembergisches) Nr. 126''), 16 July 1908. *

of the Saxon 4th Infantry Regiment No. 103 (''Königlich Sächsisches 4. Infanterie-Regiment Nr. 103''), 17 October 1908. *

À la suite À la suite (, ''in the entourage f') was a military title given to those who were allotted to the army or a particular unit for honour's sake and were entitled to wear a regimental uniform but otherwise had no official position. In Prussia ...

of the Prussian 1st Regiment of Foot Guards (''1. Garde-Regiment zu Fuß''), 20 October 1883. *

of the Prussian 1st Guards Uhlan Regiment (''1. Garde-Ulanen-Regiment''), 18 October 1884. *

of the Imperial Navy 1st Sea Battalion (''I. Seebataillon'') * Honorary General of the

Swedish Army The Swedish Army () is the army, land force of the Swedish Armed Forces of the Kingdom of Sweden. Beginning with its service in 1521, the Swedish Army has been active for more than 500 years. History Svea Life Guards dates back to the year 1 ...

, 1906

Decorations and awards

;German orders and decorations
Hof- und Staats-Handbuch des Großherzogtum Baden
' (1910), "Großherzogliches Haus", pp. 1-2 ;Foreign orders and decorations *

Austria-Hungary Austria-Hungary, also referred to as the Austro-Hungarian Empire, the Dual Monarchy or the Habsburg Monarchy, was a multi-national constitutional monarchy in Central Europe#Before World War I, Central Europe between 1867 and 1918. A military ...

: ** Grand Cross of the Royal Hungarian Order of St. Stephen, ''1885'' ** Military Jubilee Cross, ''14 August 1908'' * : Grand Cordon of the

Order of Leopold Order of Leopold may refer to: * Order of Leopold (Austria), founded in 1808 by emperor Francis I of Austria and discontinued in 1918 * Order of Leopold (Belgium), founded in 1832 by king Leopold I of Belgium * Order of Leopold II, founded in Congo ...

* : Grand Cross of the Southern Cross * : Knight of the Elephant, ''13 October 1897'' * : Knight of the Annunciation, ''10 September 1897'' * : Grand Cross of the Netherlands Lion * : ** Grand Cross of the

Order of Carol I The Order of Carol I () was the highest ranking of the Orders, decorations, and medals of Romania, Romanian honours of the Kingdom of Romania until the founding of the Order of Michael the Brave in 1916 by King of Romania, King Ferdinand I of Ro ...

, with Collar ** Grand Cross of the Star of Romania * :

Knight of St. Andrew The Order of Barbados is a national Order of honours and decorations for Barbados. History The first Order of Barbados was instituted by Queen Elizabeth II by letters patent dated 25 July 1980. With Barbados becoming a republic on 30 November 20 ...

Sweden-Norway Sweden and Norway or Sweden–Norway (; ), officially the United Kingdoms of Sweden and Norway, and known as the United Kingdoms, was a personal union of the separate kingdoms of Sweden and Norway under a common monarch and common foreign poli ...

: ** Knight of the Seraphim, with Collar, ''20 September 1881'' ** Grand Cross of St. Olav, ''27 September 1897'' * : Honorary Grand Cross of the

Royal Victorian Order The Royal Victorian Order () is a dynastic order of knighthood established in 1896 by Queen Victoria. It recognises distinguished personal service to the monarch, members of the royal family, or to any viceroy or senior representative of the m ...

, ''16 June 1905''

Ancestry

References

External links

Frederick II, Grand Duke of Baden
in ''

Stadtwiki Karlsruhe Stadtwiki Karlsruhe is a city wiki of the German city Karlsruhe and its surroundings. In 2009 it was ranked as largest city wiki in the world by article count, but has since been overtaken by other wikis. History The wiki was founded by the f ...

'' (

City wiki A wiki ( ) is a form of hypertext publication on the internet which is collaboratively edited and managed by its audience directly through a web browser. A typical wiki contains multiple pages that can either be edited by the public or li ...

of Karlsruhe), German {{DEFAULTSORT:Frederick 02 Of Baden, Grand Duke House of Zähringen Nobility from Karlsruhe 1857 births 1928 deaths Heidelberg University alumni Grand dukes of Baden Hereditary princes of Baden Monarchs who abdicated Colonel generals of Prussia 19th-century Prussian military personnel Grand Crosses of the Order of Saint Stephen of Hungary Annulled Honorary Knights Grand Cross of the Royal Victorian Order Military personnel from Karlsruhe Pretenders