Damon Mcknight
The War of the Austrian Succession was a conglomeration of related wars, two of which developed directly from the death of Charles VI, Holy Roman emperor and head of the Austrian branch of the House of Habsburg, on 20 October 1740. The conflict was 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 invasion of the Austrian province of Silesia by King Frederick II of Prussia in December 1740.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Date | 16 December 1740 to 18 October 1748 |
| Conflict | Between various European powers, including Austria, Britain, France, Prussia, Bavaria, Spain, Sweden, and Russia |
| Cause | The right of Maria Theresa to succeed her father, Emperor Charles VI, as ruler of the Habsburg monarchy |
| Outcome | Prussia acquired Silesia from Austria; Maria Theresa was confirmed as Archduchess of Austria and Queen of Hungary by the Treaty of Aix-la-Chapelle |
| Impact | Set the scene for the outbreak of the Seven Years' War in 1756; altered the balance of power in Europe |
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What You'll Learn
The invasion of Austria and Bohemia
The War of the Austrian Succession was a conglomeration of related wars, two of which developed directly from the death of Charles VI, the Holy Roman emperor and head of the Austrian branch of the House of Habsburg, on 20 October 1740. The conflict, fought between 1740 and 1748, primarily took place in Central Europe, the Austrian Netherlands, Italy, the Atlantic Ocean, and the Mediterranean Sea.
The war centred around the question of Maria Theresa's succession to the Austrian Habsburg crown. Prussia, allied with France, invaded Silesia, a rich Habsburg province, in December 1740, marking the beginning of the conflict. Prussia's victory at Mollwitz in April 1741 further enhanced suspicions in Europe about the weakness of the Habsburg dominions, leading to a wider war.
France, Prussia, and Bavaria saw the succession struggle as an opportunity to challenge Habsburg power and diminish Austrian influence. They sought to exploit the situation to acquire Habsburg possessions. Maria Theresa, the Austrian ruler and daughter of Charles VI, was supported by Britain, the Dutch Republic, and Hanover, collectively known as the Pragmatic Allies. Britain, fearing the potential loss of its commercial and colonial empire, aimed to prevent French hegemony in Europe.
The conflict widened, drawing in other participants, including Spain, Sardinia, Saxony, Sweden, and Russia. The war involved colonial conflicts between Britain and France in India and North America, with battles such as the War of Jenkins' Ear and King George's War. The fighting in Central Europe, Italy, and the Austrian Netherlands resulted in significant engagements, including the Battle of Dettingen in 1743, where British, Hanoverian, and Hessian forces defeated the French in Bavaria.
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The Silesian Wars
First Silesian War (1740-1742)
In December 1740, King Frederick II of Prussia invaded Silesia, a rich Habsburg province, with a large and well-trained army. This invasion sparked the wider War of the Austrian Succession, as it enhanced the suspicion in Europe that the Habsburg dominions were incapable of defending themselves. Frederick's victory over the Austrians at Mollwitz in April 1741 led to his conquest of Silesia.
Second Silesian War (1744-1745)
The Second Silesian War was again won by Prussia, confirming their control of Silesia. This was formalised by the Treaty of Dresden in December 1745.
Third Silesian War (1756-1763)
The Third Silesian War was the last of the three wars and was fought mainly in Silesia, Bohemia and Upper Saxony. It was part of the wider Seven Years' War, which was a global conflict. Prussia's victory in this war was also the last, confirming their dominance in the region.
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The struggle between France and Britain
The War of the Austrian Succession, which took place between 1740 and 1748, was a conglomeration of related wars, two of which developed directly from the death of Charles VI, the Holy Roman Emperor and head of the Austrian branch of the House of Habsburg. The war was fought primarily in Central Europe, the Austrian Netherlands, Italy, the Atlantic Ocean, and the Mediterranean Sea.
The conflict centred on the right of Maria Theresa to succeed her father, Emperor Charles VI, as ruler of the Habsburg monarchy. France, Prussia, and Bavaria saw it 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. Britain's European war goals were to prevent the French from overrunning the Austrian Netherlands (now Belgium) and to protect its Hanoverian territory, as King George II of Britain was also Elector of Hanover.
The war was, in part, one phase of the struggle between France and Britain that lasted from 1689 to 1815. The French and Bavarian forces' invasion of Austria and Bohemia fell apart due to a lack of unity of purpose and military capability. In 1743, British forces, in alliance with Hanover and Austria, defeated the French at the Battle of Dettingen in Bavaria. This battle demonstrated the fighting qualities of the British Army, although it had little strategic impact on the war.
The last major French success was Marshal Maurice de Saxe's conquest of the Austrian Netherlands, which culminated with the fall of the capital, Brussels, in February 1746. The British had withdrawn their army to England to oppose the French-supported efforts of Charles Edward to win the thrones of Scotland and England for the Stuarts. By the Peace of Aix-la-Chapelle, signed in October 1748, France agreed to leave the Austrian Netherlands and give back Madras, a British East India Company trading base they had seized, in return for Louisbourg.
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The First Carnatic War
The British leadership was taken prisoner and sent to Pondicherry. It was originally agreed that the town would be restored to the British after negotiation, but this was opposed by Dupleix, who wanted to annex Madras to French holdings. The remaining British residents were asked to promise not to take up arms against the French; a handful refused, among them a young Robert Clive, who managed to escape and make his way to Fort St. David, a British post at Cuddalore.
The war ended in 1748 with the Treaty of Aix-la-Chapelle, also called the Treaty of Aachen, which restored former territories to the British and French. Madras was returned to the British in exchange for the French fortress of Louisbourg in North America, which the British had captured.
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The Treaty of Aix-la-Chapelle
The treaty guaranteed the right of the Habsburg heiress Maria Theresa to the Austrian lands, but the Habsburgs were weakened by the guarantee to Prussia of its conquest of Silesia. The treaty also confirmed the right of succession of the House of Hanover in Great Britain and Hanover. Maria Theresa was forced to cede Silesia to Prussia, which doubled in size and wealth, becoming a significant power. Austria, on the other hand, was arguably the biggest loser of the treaty.
The treaty failed to resolve the issues that caused the war, and most signatories were unhappy with the terms. Maria Theresa resented Austria's exclusion from the talks and blamed Britain for forcing her to make concessions. British politicians felt they had gained little benefit for the financial subsidies paid to Austria. These issues, combined with other factors, led to the outbreak of the Seven Years' War in 1756.
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Frequently asked questions
The War of the Austrian Succession was started by the conquest of Silesia by King Frederick II of Prussia in December 1740.
Frederick's victory in Silesia suggested that the Habsburg dominions were incapable of defending themselves, prompting other countries to enter the fray.
The war was fought between most of Europe's great powers at the time, including Prussia, France, Bavaria, Spain, Sweden, Saxony, Austria, Britain, the United Provinces, and Russia.
The war was fought over the right of Maria Theresa to succeed her father, Emperor Charles VI, as ruler of the Habsburg monarchy.
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