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.

The War in the West

In spite of the quick Russian victory, the war did not end, however. France's prime minister, Cardinal Fleury, saw the Polish struggle as a chance to strike at Austrian power in the west without seeming to be the aggressor. While he cared little for who should become King of Poland, the cause of protecting the King's father-in-law was a sympathetic one, and he hoped to use the war as a means of humbling the Austrians, and perhaps securing the long-desired Duchy of Lorraine from its Duke, Francis Stephen, who was expected to marry Emperor Charles's daughter Maria Theresa, which would bring Austrian power dangerously close to the French border.

Related Topics:
Cardinal Fleury - Duchy of Lorraine - Francis Stephen - Maria Theresa

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Louis XV was joined by his uncle, Philip V of Spain, who hoped to secure territories in Italy for his sons by his second marriage to Elizabeth Farnese. Specifically, he hoped to secure Mantua for the elder son, Don Carlos, who was already Duke of Parma and had the expectation of Tuscany; and the Kingdoms of Naples and Sicily for the younger son, Don Felipe. The two Bourbon monarchs were joined also by Charles Emmanuel III of Savoy, who hoped to secure gains from the Austrian Duchy of Milan.

Related Topics:
Philip V of Spain - Elizabeth Farnese - Mantua - Naples - Sicily - Charles Emmanuel III of Savoy - Duchy of Milan

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Although the Austrians had hoped for aid from the Maritimes Powers, Britain and the Dutch Republic, they were disappointed, as both the Dutch and the British (then under the dominant influence of Sir Robert Walpole) chose to pursue a policy of neutrality. The French, not wishing to provoke them, chose not to campaign in the Austrian Netherlands. The Austrians were thus left largely without effective allies - their Russian and Saxon allies were still largely occupied with finishing the Polish campaign, while the Emperor distrusted Frederick William I of Prussia, who was willing to provide aid, causing Frederick William to provide only nominal support. The Bavarians and other medium-sized German states were committed to neutrality by an alliance with France, leaving only a few small German states - and Hanover, where George II proved willing to help in his role as an Imperial Elector - to support the Emperor.

Related Topics:
Sir Robert Walpole - Austrian Netherlands - Frederick William I of Prussia - George II

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The war proved a disaster for the Austrians. Due to the neutralization of the Netherlands, it was fought largely on two fronts - on the Rhine and in Italy. The Rhine campaigns saw the last appearance in the field of two great generals of the previous generation, Prince Eugene of Savoy and the Duke of Berwick — the latter was killed at the siege of Philippsburg — and the baptism of fire of the young crown prince of Prussia, afterwards Frederick the Great. The French were largely successful - they overran Lorraine and captured the important fortress of Philippsburg on the right bank of the Rhine.

Related Topics:
Prince Eugene of Savoy - Duke of Berwick - Philippsburg - Frederick the Great

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In Italy, the Austrian sistuation was even worse. In the north, there were two hard-fought though indecisive battles, Parma (June 29, 1734) and the Luzzara (September 19, 1734), the first won by the Austrians, the second by the French and their allies. But in the south, the Austrians lost disastrously, with the Spanish easily conquering Naples and Sicily by May 1734.

Related Topics:
Parma - Luzzara - 1734

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