Lexi Webster
The War of the Austrian Succession was a conglomeration of related wars fought between 1740 and 1748, primarily in Central Europe, the Austrian Netherlands, Italy, the Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea. The conflict was sparked by the death of Emperor Charles VI and the question of his daughter Maria Theresa's succession to the Austrian Habsburg crown, which was not recognised by some European powers. The war involved most of Europe's great powers, including Prussia, France, Bavaria, Spain, Sweden, Saxony, Austria, Britain, the United Provinces, Russia, and Sardinia.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Date | 1740-1748 |
| Conflict | A conglomeration of related wars |
| Cause | The right of Maria Theresa to succeed her father, Emperor Charles VI, as ruler of the Habsburg monarchy |
| Combatants | Austria, Britain, the Dutch Republic, Hanover, Sardinia, Saxony, Sweden, Russia, Prussia, France, Bavaria, Spain |
| Outcome | Prussia acquired Silesia from Austria; French conquest of the Austrian Netherlands; Britain's victories at sea |
| Impact | Realignment known as the Diplomatic Revolution; Set the scene for the outbreak of the Seven Years' War in 1756 |
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What You'll Learn
- The war was fought between 1740 and 1748
- It was primarily fought in Central Europe, the Austrian Netherlands, Italy and at sea
- It was caused by the death of Emperor Charles VI
- It involved many European powers, including Prussia, Austria, France and Britain
- The outcome was the realignment known as the Diplomatic Revolution
The war was fought between 1740 and 1748
The War of the Austrian Succession was fought between 1740 and 1748. It was a European conflict primarily fought in Central Europe, the Austrian Netherlands, Italy, the Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea. The war was caused by the death of Emperor Charles VI, and the subsequent question of whether his daughter, Maria Theresa, had the right to succeed him as ruler of the Habsburg monarchy.
The war began on 16 December 1740 when King Frederick II of Prussia invaded Silesia, one of the richest Habsburg provinces. This invasion sparked a conflict that eventually saw Prussia ally itself with France, Bavaria, Spain, Sweden and Saxony. These states sought to exploit the succession struggle to acquire Habsburg possessions and diminish Austrian power. Austria was supported by Britain, the United Provinces, Russia and later, Sardinia.
The war was fought across multiple theatres, including Central Europe, Italy and the Austrian Netherlands, and also involved colonial conflict between Britain and France. The British pursued a strategy of naval blockade and bombardment of enemy ports, which proved successful in North America with the capture of the French fortress of Louisbourg. However, in Europe, the British enjoyed mixed fortunes on the battlefield.
The war ended in 1748 with the Treaty of Aix-la-Chapelle, which preserved the bulk of the Austrian inheritance for Maria Theresa and brought international recognition of her rule. Prussia emerged as the clearest winner, acquiring Silesia from Austria and forming an alliance with Great Britain.
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It was primarily fought in Central Europe, the Austrian Netherlands, Italy and at sea
The War of the Austrian Succession was fought primarily in Central Europe, the Austrian Netherlands, Italy, the Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea. The conflict was sparked by the death of Emperor Charles VI in 1740, and the subsequent dispute over the right of his daughter, Maria Theresa, to succeed him as ruler of the Habsburg monarchy.
In Central Europe, the war was fought mainly in the Austrian province of Silesia, which was invaded by King Frederick II of Prussia in December 1740. This invasion sparked a wider conflict, with Prussia allying itself with France, Bavaria, Spain, Sweden and Saxony. These states sought to exploit the succession struggle to acquire Habsburg possessions and diminish Austrian power. Austria, meanwhile, was backed by Britain, the Dutch Republic, and Hanover, collectively known as the Pragmatic Allies.
In the Austrian Netherlands, the French succeeded in overrunning much of western Flanders in 1744. They resumed their offensive in 1745, laying siege to the fortress of Tournai. Marshal Maurice de Saxe's victory at the Battle of Fontenoy in May 1745 established French dominance in the region. Saxe went on to capture several towns in the Austrian Netherlands, including the capital, Brussels, in February 1746.
Fighting in Italy was focused on Northern Italy, where Austria and Sardinia defeated Spanish attacks. In 1744, a combined Franco-Spanish fleet fought a battle against a British naval force in the Mediterranean. Although the British prevented the Franco-Spanish fleet from exiting the Mediterranean, they were forced to retreat, allowing Spain to land troops in Northern Italy. The Spanish captured the important port of Villefranche-sur-Mer, but storms damaged many of their ships, and the invasion was eventually cancelled. In May 1745, a French army invaded the Austrian Netherlands.
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It was caused by the death of Emperor Charles VI
The War of the Austrian Succession was fought between 1740 and 1748, primarily in Central Europe, the Austrian Netherlands, Italy, the Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea. The conflict was caused by the death of Emperor Charles VI in 1740 and the subsequent inheritance of the Habsburg monarchy, often collectively referred to as Austria. The war was fought between those who supported Maria Theresa's succession to the Austrian Habsburg crown and those who opposed it.
Maria Theresa was the daughter of Emperor Charles VI, and her right to inherit the throne was questioned by France, Prussia, and Bavaria, who saw it as an opportunity to challenge Habsburg power. They supported the claims of Charles Albert of Bavaria to the imperial crown. In contrast, Maria Theresa was backed by Britain, the Dutch Republic, and Hanover, collectively known as the Pragmatic Allies. As the conflict widened, other participants, including Spain, Sardinia, Saxony, Sweden, and Russia, were drawn in.
The war began when Frederick II of Prussia invaded the Austrian province of Silesia in 1740. His victory suggested that the Habsburg dominions were weak, prompting other countries to enter the fray. Prussia's invasion of Silesia was an attempt to acquire Habsburg possessions and diminish Austrian power. The Prussian army was better trained and led than the Austrian army, and their victory in Silesia encouraged other countries to challenge the Habsburgs.
The conflict was not just limited to Central Europe but also extended to Italy and the Austrian Netherlands, with French and Spanish attacks on Northern Italy being repelled by Austrian and Sardinian forces. The war also included a wider naval conflict, with Britain using its naval power to expand the conflict to its colonies in North America and India. The British pursued a strategy of naval blockade and bombardment of enemy ports, harassing enemy shipping, and attacking outposts, often with the support of colonial troops.
The War of the Austrian Succession had significant consequences, including the realignment of alliances known as the Diplomatic Revolution. Austria and France ended their centuries-long rivalry, while Prussia allied with Great Britain. These changes set the stage for the outbreak of the Seven Years' War in 1756.
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It involved many European powers, including Prussia, Austria, France and Britain
The War of the Austrian Succession was a conflict fought between several European powers from 1740 to 1748. The war was primarily fought in Central Europe, the Austrian Netherlands, Italy, the Atlantic Ocean, and the Mediterranean Sea. The conflict was sparked by the death of Emperor Charles VI in 1740 and the question of whether his daughter, Maria Theresa, had the right to succeed him as ruler of the Habsburg monarchy.
Prussia, France, and Bavaria saw the death of the Emperor as an opportunity to challenge Habsburg power. In December 1740, Prussia invaded and occupied the Austrian province of Silesia, marking the beginning of the First Silesian War (1740-42). This was followed by the Second Silesian War (1744-45), in which Prussia, allied with France, successfully retained control of Silesia. Prussia was considered the clear winner of the War of the Austrian Succession, having acquired Silesia from Austria.
On the other side of the conflict, Maria Theresa was backed by Britain, the Dutch Republic, and Hanover, collectively known as the Pragmatic Allies. Britain supported Maria Theresa due to fears that if France achieved hegemony in Europe, it would threaten the British commercial and colonial empire. The British pursued a strategy of naval blockade and bombardment of enemy ports, utilizing their naval power to expand the conflict into the colonies, particularly in North America.
As the conflict widened, other European powers were drawn in, including Spain, Sardinia, Saxony, Sweden, and Russia. The war featured several notable battles, including the Battle of Toulon in 1744 between a combined Franco-Spanish fleet and a British naval force, and the Battle of Dettingen in 1743, where British, Hanoverian, and Hessian troops defeated the French in Bavaria.
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The outcome was the realignment known as the Diplomatic Revolution
The War of the Austrian Succession was fought between 1740 and 1748, primarily in Central Europe, the Austrian Netherlands, Italy, the Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea. The conflict was caused by the question of Maria Theresa's succession to the Austrian Habsburg crown following the death of her father, Emperor Charles VI, in 1740. Prussia, often considered the clear winner of the war, acquired Silesia from Austria, which undermined the Anglo-Austrian Alliance. Maria Theresa deeply resented Britain's insistence that she cede Silesia to make peace and made regaining the territory her main objective. The war also demonstrated that Hanover, held in personal union with the British Crown, was vulnerable to Prussian attacks.
The outcome of the war was the realignment known as the Diplomatic Revolution. Austria and France ended their centuries-long rivalry, while Prussia formed an alliance with Great Britain. These changes set the stage for the outbreak of the Seven Years' War in 1756. In the lead-up to this conflict, Britain sought to avoid large-scale commitments of troops on the continent, instead pursuing a strategy of naval blockade and bombardment of enemy ports. They also took advantage of their ability to move troops by sea and utilised colonists from nearby British colonies in their efforts.
The Diplomatic Revolution was characterised by a reversal of alliances, with France and Austria signing the Treaty of Versailles in 1756 and then again in 1757, forming a defensive alliance. This marked the end of the Austrian-British alliance, with Britain now allying with Prussia, France's old enemy. The British were content to build up Prussia as a great European power, viewing it as a means of balancing French power and reducing French influence in Germany. However, the Anglo-Prussian alliance was short-lived, as Britain withdrew financial and military support for Prussia in 1762, leading Prussia to ally with Russia instead.
The Seven Years' War (1756-1763) involved Franco-British fighting in North America and India, as well as conflicts in Europe. The British captured French possessions in Canada, the Caribbean, and India, while Frederick the Great's army inflicted defeats on the poorly led French armies. The war ended in a victory for Britain and Prussia, aided by Britain's control of the seas.
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Frequently asked questions
The Austrian War of Succession took place between 1740 and 1748.
The Austrian War of Succession was caused by the death of Emperor Charles VI in 1740, and the subsequent question of whether his daughter, Maria Theresa, could inherit the Habsburg lands.
Most of Europe's great powers were involved in the conflict. Prussia, France, Bavaria, Spain, Sweden and Saxony joined forces against Austria, Britain, the United Provinces and Russia.
Prussia acquired Silesia from Austria, and the war demonstrated that Hanover was vulnerable to Prussian attacks. Austria and France ended their long-standing rivalry, and Prussia formed an alliance with Great Britain. These changes set the scene for the outbreak of the Seven Years' War in 1756.
The war involved colonial conflict, particularly between Britain and France. The French seized the British East India Company's trading base of Madras, while the British captured the French fortress of Louisbourg in Canada.
