thumb|upright=0.6|Coat of arms of Hesse-Darmstadt The Landgrave Frederick II (1720–1785) ruled Hesse-Kassel as a benevolent despot, from 1760 to 1785. He combined Enlightenment ideas with Christian values, cameralist plans for central control of the economy, and a militaristic approach toward diplomacy.Ingrao, Charles W. (2003). The Hessian Mercenary State: Ideas, Institutions, and Reform under Frederick II, 1760–1785. He funded the depleted treasury of the poor government by loaning 19,000 soldiers in complete military formations to Great Britain to fight in North America during the American Revolutionary War, 1776–1783. These soldiers, commonly known as Hessians, fought under the British flag. The British used the Hessians in several conflicts, including in the Irish Rebellion of 1798. For further revenue, the soldiers were loaned to other places as well. Most were conscripted, with their pay going to the Landgrave.
thumb|upright=06|Coat of arms of Hesse-Darmstadt The Landgrave Frederick II (1720–1785) ruled Hesse-Kassel as a benevolent despot from 1760 to 1785 He combined Enlightenment ideas with Christian values cameralist plans for central control of the economy and a militaristic approach toward diplomacyIngrao Charles W (2003) The Hessian Mercenary State Ideas Institutions and Reform under Frederick II 1760–1785 He funded the depleted treasury of the poor government by loaning 19000 soldiers in complete military formations to Great Britain to fight in North America during the American Revolutionary War 1776–1783 These soldiers commonly known as Hessians fought under the British flag The British used the Hessians in several conflicts including in the Irish Rebellion of 1798 For further revenue the soldiers were loaned to other places as well Most were conscripted with their pay going to the Landgrave