The Rise Of Prussia And Austria: Empires Forged

Austria and Prussia emerged as two great empires in the 18th century. Prussia's power grew after it defeated Austria during the War of Austrian Succession in 1742, seizing the province of Silesia. Austria was traditionally considered the leader of the German states, but Prussia's victory strengthened its influence within the German empire. Prussia's armies were smaller than Austria's, but they were better and better-led. By the late 18th century, Prussia was ranked as one of the great powers of Europe. Austria and Prussia's rivalry continued, with both dominating German affairs in a condition of tension usually called the German dualism.

The War of Austrian Succession

Austria and Prussia emerged as two great empires in the aftermath of the War of Austrian Succession. The war, which lasted from 1740 to 1748, saw Prussia defeat Austria and seize the province of Silesia in 1742. This marked the beginning of Prussia's rise as a great power in Europe, challenging Austria's traditional leadership of the German states. The rivalry between the two empires intensified, leading to further conflicts and a condition of tension known as "the German dualism". Prussia's victory in the War of Austrian Succession increased its size and prestige, while Austria sought to streamline its administrative structure and centralise power to maintain its influence. The peace treaty agreed at Hubertusburg between Prussia and Austria maintained the status quo in central Europe, with Prussia keeping Silesia and strengthening its influence within the German empire. The outcome of the War of Austrian Succession thus played a crucial role in shaping the emergence of Austria and Prussia as two powerful empires, setting the stage for their ongoing rivalry and shaping the balance of power in Europe.

The Habsburg family

The Habsburgs' vast empire included multiethnic and polyglot regions, and Maria Theresa, guided by her interior minister, Count Friedrich Wilhelm Haugwitz, streamlined the Austrian administrative structure on the Prussian model. This helped to draw together the diverse regions of the empire, but it also led to a loss of power for the estates and increased centralisation.

The enmity between Maria Theresa of Austria and Frederick the Great of Prussia centred on the province of Silesia, which Frederick seized in 1740. The loss of Silesia was a significant blow to Maria Theresa, and she directed much of her policy towards its recovery. The rivalry between Austria and Prussia continued, and in 1742, Prussia defeated Austria during the War of Austrian Succession, further strengthening its hold on Silesia.

The peace treaty agreed at Hubertusburg between Prussia and Austria maintained the status quo in central Europe, but it also reduced the influence of the official imperial power, Habsburg Austria, while strengthening the influence of Prussia within the German empire. This left Poland flanked by two increasingly powerful neighbours, Prussia and Russia, who had been in alliance since 1762.

The German dualism

Prussia's rise in power was largely due to its military prowess. Despite being greatly outnumbered by Austria's forces, the Prussian armies were the best and the best-led. This was demonstrated in the War of Austrian Succession, when Prussia defeated Austria to seize the province of Silesia in 1742. This was a huge blow to Maria Theresa of Austria, who directed much of her policy towards its recovery.

Austria, meanwhile, was the official imperial power, but its influence was reduced by Prussia's increasing power. The rivalry between the two states was intensified by the enmity between Maria Theresa of Austria and Frederick the Great of Prussia, which centred on the province of Silesia.

The peace treaty agreed at Hubertusburg between Prussia and Austria maintained the recent status quo in central Europe. Frederick the Great was allowed to keep Silesia, strengthening Prussia's influence within the German empire and reducing that of Austria. This left Poland flanked by two increasingly powerful neighbours, Prussia and Russia, who had been in alliance since 1762.

The rivalry between Maria Theresa of Austria and Frederick the Great of Prussia

Maria Theresa became ruler of the Austrian Empire in 1740 upon the death of her father, Emperor Charles VI. Frederick the Great, meanwhile, had become King of Prussia in 1740 after his father, Frederick William I, abdicated. Both rulers were young and ambitious, and they quickly became locked in a power struggle that would define their reigns.

The primary source of contention between Maria Theresa and Frederick the Great was the province of Silesia. Frederick had seized Silesia from Austria during the War of Austrian Succession in 1740, an act that Maria Theresa viewed as a grave insult and a threat to her empire. She never forgave Frederick for this transgression, and much of her policy was directed towards recovering the lost province.

The rivalry between the two monarchs played out in a series of military conflicts, including the War of Austrian Succession and the Seven Years' War. Despite being outnumbered by Austrian forces, the Prussian armies proved their superior training and leadership, achieving remarkable victories under Frederick's command. The Peace of Hubertusburg in 1763 maintained the status quo, allowing Prussia to retain Silesia and strengthening its influence within the German Empire at the expense of Austria.

The rivalry between Maria Theresa and Frederick the Great had a significant impact on the development of their respective empires. It spurred both rulers to carry out important internal reforms and strengthen their military forces. Despite their differences, there were also similarities in their approaches to governance, with both monarchs centralising power and implementing absolutist policies. The rivalry between Austria and Prussia, embodied by the personal enmity between Maria Theresa and Frederick the Great, thus played a crucial role in shaping the two empires and their place in European history.

The alliance between Prussia and Russia

Prussia and Russia had been in an alliance since 1762, which left Poland flanked by two increasingly powerful neighbours. Prussia and Austria dominated German affairs in a condition of tension usually called 'the German dualism', meaning that each had become so powerful that only the other could keep it in some sort of check.

Prussia had increased in size and prestige, and its armies were by far the best and best-led, despite being greatly outnumbered by Austria's forces. Prussia's victory in the War of Austrian Succession in 1742, which allowed it to seize the province of Silesia, was a significant step in its rise to power. By the late 18th century, Prussia was ranked as one of the great powers of Europe.

Austria, meanwhile, was traditionally considered the leader of the German states. Maria Theresa streamlined the Austrian administrative structure on the Prussian model, thus drawing together the multiethnic and polyglot regions of the vast Habsburg Empire. The remaining powers of the estates were curtailed everywhere, and centralisation was institutionalised in an absolutist fashion.

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