War of the Polish Succession

The War of the Polish Succession (1733-1738) was a European war and a Polish civil war, with considerable interference from other countries, to determine the succession to Augustus II, King of Poland, as well as an attempt by the Bourbon powers to check the power of Austria in western Europe.

Peace Settlement

With the Austrians being in no real position to continue the fight, and the French concerned by the possible arrival of Russian reinforcements, which did indeed arrive on the Rhine for the first time in this campaign, peace negotiations soon began. A preliminary peace was concluded in October 1735 and ratified in the Treaty of Vienna (November 1738). Augustus was confirmed as king of Poland, Stanislas being compensated with the Duchy of Lorraine (which would thus pass, on his death, through his daughter to the French), while the former Duke of Lorraine, Francis Stephen, was made heir to the Grand Duchy of Tuscany, which he inherited in 1737. Don Charles was forced to give up not only his rights to Tuscany but also his previous Duchy of Parma, which was given to the Austrians, but he was richly compensated by being confirmed instead as king of Naples and Sicily. Don Philip was abandoned, receiving nothing.

Related Topics:
1735 - Treaty of Vienna - 1738 - Duke of Lorraine - Francis Stephen - Grand Duchy of Tuscany - 1737 - Don Charles

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The French (and their allies), hoping for détente and good relations with the Austrians, now recognized the Pragmatic Sanction that would allow Emperor Charles's daughter Maria Theresa to succeed him. This proved a hollow guarantee, however, as the French decided to intervene to partition the Habsburg Empire after all following Charles's death in 1740. The acquisition of Lorraine for the former Polish king, however, proved of lasting benefit to France, as it past under direct French rule with Stanislas's death in 1766.

Related Topics:
Pragmatic Sanction - Emperor Charles - Maria Theresa - 1740 - 1766

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In Poland in 1736 Stanislaus signed the act of abdication, while Augustus III pronouced a general amnesty. Wi?niowiecki was rewarded: the king made him the grand hetman (commander-in-chief) of Lithuania.

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