Lyla Lindsey
Frederick the Great, also known as Frederick II, was the King of Prussia from 1740 until his death in 1786. He was known for his love of the arts and philosophy, as well as his military prowess and tactical genius. Frederick's daring military tactics and expansive policies led to multiple wars with Austria and its allies, resulting in significant territorial gains for Prussia. One of the most notable pieces of land that Frederick gained from Austria was the province of Silesia, which he annexed in 1742 after invading in 1740. This invasion triggered the eight-year War of Austrian Succession and nearly doubled Prussia's population and territory size, adding a densely industrialised region to Frederick's kingdom.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name of Piece of Land | Austrian Province of Silesia |
| Year of Annexation | 1742 |
| War | First Silesian War (1740-1742), part of the War of Austrian Succession |
| Increase in Population | Nearly doubled Prussia's population |
| Increase in Territory | Increased Prussia's territory by a third |
| Control Over Waterways | Control over the navigable Oder River |
| Industrial Benefits | One of the most densely industrialised German regions |
| Agricultural Benefits | Rich in agriculture and mineral wealth |
Explore related products
What You'll Learn
The First Silesian War
The war began with a Prussian invasion of Habsburg Silesia in late 1740. By the end of January 1741, almost the entirety of Silesia was under Prussian control, and the remaining Austrian strongholds of Glogau, Brieg and Neisse were under siege. In late March 1741, Frederick set out to capture the few remaining fortresses within the province, but he was surprised by the arrival of an Austrian army, which he fought at the Battle of Mollwitz on 10 April 1741. Despite this setback, by October 1741, Prussia was left in virtual control of Silesia by the Truce of Klein Schnellendorf.
After further warfare from December 1741 to June 1742, Maria Theresa decided to make peace with Frederick, ceding in the Treaty of Breslau (June 11, 1742) all of Silesia except the districts of Troppau, Teschen, and Jägerndorf. This treaty ended the First Silesian War, and its terms were later formalised in the Treaty of Berlin (28 July 1742). Prussia also agreed to take on some of Austria's debts and to remain neutral for the remainder of the ongoing War of the Austrian Succession.
Navigating Covid in Austria: What to Expect
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Old Hohenzollern claims
Upon ascending to the throne in 1740, Frederick the Great of Prussia attacked and annexed the Austrian province of Silesia, beginning the War of Austrian Succession. Frederick justified his invasion of this vulnerable part of the Habsburg Empire on dynastic grounds, citing old, though ambiguous, Hohenzollern claims to parts of Silesia. These included the principalities of Liegnitz, Brieg, Wohlau, and Jägerndorf.
The Hohenzollerns had signed a treaty with the Piasts of Brieg in 1537, which Frederick used to deceitfully bolster his claim to Silesia. By invading Silesia, Frederick aimed to expand his rule southward and double the number of his subjects to six million. The province was an important industrial hub, necessary for Prussia's economic stability, and included densely industrialised German regions, rich agricultural lands, and mineral wealth. It also gave Prussia control over the navigable Oder River.
In just seven weeks, Frederick's army of 140,000 men captured almost all of Silesia. This swift victory was a testament to Frederick's tactical genius and set the stage for the First Silesian War (1740-1742), part of the War of the Austrian Succession. Despite facing a powerful coalition of enemies, including Austria, France, Russia, Saxony, and Sweden, Frederick's daring military tactics and sweeping reforms transformed Prussia into a formidable European power.
In 1744, Frederick renewed his alliance with France and again invaded Austria, capturing Prague. However, complete victory eluded him, and he was forced to retreat to Silesia for the winter. In the spring, the Austrians invaded Silesia but were soundly defeated at the Battle of Hohenfriedberg by Frederick's outnumbered Prussian army. The Austrians eventually signed the Treaty of Dresden, recognising Silesia as belonging to Frederick's family.
Retirement in Austria: Understanding the Country's Retirement Age
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Industrial and economic benefits
Frederick the Great invaded and annexed the Austrian province of Silesia, now in southwestern Poland, in 1740, triggering the eight-year War of Austrian Succession. Silesia was an important industrial hub, and its capture brought substantial long-term economic and strategic benefits to Prussia.
The occupation of Silesia added one of the most densely industrialised German regions to Frederick's kingdom. Silesia was relatively advanced in industry, rich in agriculture and mineral wealth. It was an important industrial hub necessary for Prussia's economic stability. The province was also densely populated, nearly doubling Prussia's population and increasing its territory by a third. Control of Silesia also gave Prussia control over the navigable Oder River.
The acquisition of Silesia was part of Frederick's goal to modernise and unite his vulnerably disconnected lands. He desired to transform Prussia into a powerful and effective state, a model for military organisation throughout Europe. The resources gained from the annexation of Silesia were used to build and train an army of 154,000, which allowed him to launch a pre-emptive attack on Austria's ally Saxony in 1756, beginning the Seven Years' War. The war brought Prussia military, financial, and industrial assets that put it in an extremely powerful position.
Austria's Surprising Side: Fun Facts Unveiled
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Treaty of Dresden
The Treaty of Dresden, signed on 25 December 1745, was an agreement between Austria, Saxony and Prussia that ended the Second Silesian War.
The treaty confirmed Prussia's rule over the province of Silesia, which had been a point of contention between Austria and Prussia for several years. In 1740, upon succeeding to the throne, King Frederick II of Prussia (also known as Frederick the Great) disputed the right of Maria Theresa of Austria to succeed to the Habsburg lands. He also asserted his own right to the Austrian province of Silesia, based on old, though ambiguous, Hohenzollern claims to parts of the region.
The First Silesian War (1740-1742) began when Frederick invaded and quickly occupied almost all of Silesia. The province was an important industrial hub, and its occupation added one of the most densely industrialised German regions to Frederick's kingdom. It also gave Prussia control over the navigable Oder River, nearly doubling its population and increasing its territory by a third.
In the Treaty of Breslau (1742), Maria Theresa was forced to cede most of Silesia to Prussia. However, she later strengthened her position, attacking the Electorate of Bavaria and gaining the support of Great Britain, the Dutch Republic and Saxony to reconquer Silesia. By the end of May 1745, Austrian and Saxon troops invaded Prussian Silesia but were defeated by Frederick at the Battle of Hohenfriedberg on 4 June.
The Treaty of Dresden ratified and confirmed the tenets of the Treaty of Breslau, with Frederick maintaining control over Silesia. Saxony, which had to pay Prussia one million rixdollars in reparations, was the most disadvantaged party in the treaty.
Police Report in Vienna: What You Need to Know
You may want to see also
Explore related products
War of Austrian Succession
The War of the Austrian Succession was a European conflict fought between 1740 and 1748, primarily in Central Europe, the Austrian Netherlands, Italy, the Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea. The war was sparked by the death of Emperor Charles VI, the head of the Austrian branch of the House of Habsburg, in October 1740. The conflict centred on the right of Maria Theresa, the daughter of Charles VI, to succeed her father as ruler of the Habsburg monarchy.
On 16 December 1740, King Frederick II of Prussia—also known as Frederick the Great—invaded Silesia, a rich Austrian province and important industrial hub. Frederick's victory at Mollwitz in April 1741 demonstrated the weakness of the Habsburg dominions, and the war soon became a general European conflict. Prussia's invasion of Silesia sparked a wider conflict between Britain and France, with Britain seeking to prevent the French from overrunning the Austrian Netherlands and protecting its Hanoverian territory. France, Prussia, and Bavaria saw the war as an opportunity to challenge Habsburg power, while Maria Theresa was backed by Britain, the Dutch Republic, and Hanover, collectively known as the Pragmatic Allies.
The war can be divided into three separate but connected conflicts. The first was the Silesian Wars between Prussia and Austria, which can be further divided into the First Silesian War (1740-1742) and the Second Silesian War (1744-1745). The Second Silesian War was concluded by the Treaty of Dresden in December 1745, which confirmed Prussian possession of Silesia. The second conflict was between Austria and Sardinia, who defeated Spanish attacks in Northern Italy. The third conflict was a global contest between Britain and France, which included colonial conflicts in India and North America.
The war resulted in a realignment of alliances known as the Diplomatic Revolution. Austria and France ended their rivalry, while Prussia allied with Great Britain. These changes set the stage for the outbreak of the Seven Years' War in 1756. The Treaty of Aix-la-Chapelle, signed in October 1748, preserved the bulk of the Austrian inheritance for Maria Theresa, including the Austrian Netherlands, which the French agreed to leave.
The Medic's Austrian Roots: Fact or Fiction?
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
Frederick gained the prosperous Austrian province of Silesia, now in southwestern Poland.
Frederick justified his occupation on dynastic grounds, but the invasion of this vulnerable part of the Habsburg empire also had the potential to provide substantial long-term economic and strategic benefits. The occupation of Silesia added one of the most densely industrialised German regions to Frederick's kingdom, nearly doubled Prussia's population, and increased its territory by a third.
Frederick deceitfully invaded Silesia, using as justification an obscure treaty from 1537 between the Hohenzollerns and the Piasts of Brieg. He also had an army of 140,000 drilled to perfection by his late father.
![Silesian Folk Tales - The Book of Rubezahl [Illustrated]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/61pHqAT+6TL._AC_UL320_.jpg)
![Into the Carpathians: A Journey Through the Heart and History of East Central Europe (Part 2: The Western Mountains) [Black and White Edition]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/71AH55z3jgL._AC_UL320_.jpg)
