War of the Austrian Succession

The War of the Austrian Succession (1740-1748). Maria Theresa of Austria succeeded her father Charles VI, Holy Roman Emperor in his Habsburg dominions in 1740, namely becoming Queen of Hungary and Bohemia, Archduchess of Austria, and Duchess of Parma, Piacenza, and Guastalla. For a woman to inherit such vast territories involved many complications, which were perceived long before, and Emperor Charles VI had long anticipated them, getting all the other powers to agree to the Pragmatic Sanction of 1713. The plan was for her to succeed to the hereditary Habsburg domains, and her husband, Francis I, Duke of Lorraine, to be elected Holy Roman Emperor. Frederick II of Prussia, having not himself agreed to the Pragmatic Sanction, invaded Silesia, using some unsettled dynastic claims as a pretext. Maria Theresa, as a woman, was perceived (incorrectly) as weak, and some other princes (such as Charles Albert of Bavaria) alleged rights to the crown.

Related Topics:
1740 - 1748 - Maria Theresa of Austria - Charles VI, Holy Roman Emperor - Queen of Hungary - Bohemia - Archduchess of Austria - Duchess of Parma - Pragmatic Sanction of 1713 - Francis I, Duke of Lorraine - Frederick II of Prussia - Silesia - Charles Albert of Bavaria - Rights to the crown

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In this unsettled dynastic environment hostilities began with the invasion of Silesia by King Frederick II of Prussia in 1740, and only ended with the Treaty of Aix-la-Chapelle in 1748. After 1741 nearly all the powers of Europe were involved in the struggle, but the most enduring military interest of the war lies in the struggle of Prussia and Austria for Silesia. Southwest Germany, the Low Countries and Italy were, as usual, the battle-grounds of France and Austria. The constant allies of France and Prussia were Spain and Bavaria. Various other powers joined them at intervals. The cause of Austria was supported almost as a matter of course by the United Kingdom and by the Netherlands, the traditional enemies of France. Of Austria's allies from time to time, Sardinia and Saxony were the most important.

Related Topics:
Dynastic environment - Invasion - Silesia - Frederick II of Prussia - 1740 - Treaty of Aix-la-Chapelle - 1748 - 1741 - Powers - Prussia - Austria - France - Allies - Spain - Bavaria - United Kingdom - Netherlands - Sardinia - Saxony

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