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German History in Documents and Images
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First Military Punishment: How an Honorable Man Receives a Beating (1776)
Frederick II of Prussia (r. 1740-86) felt that guidelines for punishment were necessary in shaping an efficient fighting force. Here, punishment is administered to a stoically composed delinquent. The scene is meant to depict “civilizing” discipline. Etching by Daniel Chodowiecki (1726-1801), 1776.