Which of these was true of the reign of Frederick William, the Great Elector? Prussian serfs gained new freedoms. The Prussian nobility was decimated. Prussia gained a reputation for Catholic orthodoxy. French Huguenot refugees were allowed to settle in Prussia.

The correct answer is **French Huguenot refugees were allowed to settle in Prussia.**<br /><br />Frederick William, the Great Elector, actively encouraged French Huguenots to settle in Prussia after the revocation of the Edict of Nantes in 1685. This influx of skilled and educated Protestants significantly benefited Prussia's economy and culture.<br /><br />The other options are incorrect:<br /><br />* **Prussian serfs gained new freedoms:** Quite the opposite. Frederick William actually strengthened serfdom to appease the Junkers (nobility) and gain their support for his centralized state.<br />* **The Prussian nobility was decimated:** Frederick William consolidated power *with* the Junkers, not against them. He made them the backbone of his army and bureaucracy.<br />* **Prussia gained a reputation for Catholic orthodoxy:** Prussia was and remained predominantly Protestant under Frederick William, who himself was a Calvinist. The influx of Huguenots further strengthened the Protestant character of the state.<br />