Silesian Wars

The Silesian Wars were a series of wars between Prussia and Austria (and their changing allies) for control of Silesia. They formed parts of the larger War of the Austrian Succession and Seven Years War.

Peace of Breslau 1742

Map of Silesia (see map on right) as divided between Prussia, Bohemia-Austria and Poland after the Peace of Breslau of 1742, which ended the first Silesian War

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• The red line shows the historical boundaries of Silesia that were stable for some 1000 years.
• The grey area shows the major part of Silesia acquired by Prussia from Austria-Bohemia in the Peace of Wroclaw (1742), as a result of the First Silesian War;
• The yellow area shows the remainder of Bohemian-Austrian Silesia. It was called Bohemian Silesia up to 1849, and then Austrian Silesia. The map show the cities of Opava, Krnov and Cieszyn;
• The Red/Orange area shows Polish Silesia: the duchies of Oswiecim and Zator, with Biala, later Bielsko-Biala - all shown on the map; and also the duchy of Siewierz.