Timeline of the War of Austrian Succession
- 1. Timeline of the War of Austrian Succession 1713 • Pragmatic Sanction – HRE Charles VI ensured his daughter, Maria- Theresa would inherit the Hapsburg empire 1740 • Charles VI died, Maria-Theresa succeeded • Succession disputed by: o Charles Albert Wittelsbach, the Elector of Bavaria – claim to throne o Philip V of Spain – weak claim to throne o Augustus III of Saxony & Poland – weak claim to throne o Frederick II of Prussia – wanted Austrian territory of Silesia • Frederick II invaded & claimed Silesia, an industriously wealthy territory (porcelain manufacturer) • Frederick II said he would support Maria-Theresa if she ceded Silesia to him. She declined. 1741 • Frederick II, Prussia, entered an alliance with: o France o Spain o Bavaria (promised election of HRE if they invaded Vienna) o Saxony • October – Prussia agreed to a truce in exchange for most of Silesia • November – truce broken as France, Saxony & Bavaria invaded Bohemia and occupied Prague • Charles Albert of Bavaria – elected as Charles VII, Holy Roman Emperor • Maria-Theresa struck a deal w/ o Hungarian Magyars, who agreed to help her by fighting in return for more autonomy o Great Britain, who sent financial aid 1742 • Austrian troops overran Bavaria & took Prague • July – Treaty of Berlin ended the “First Silesian War” o Austria & Prussia (along w/ Saxony) = peace o Austria ceded Silesia to Prussia 1743 • Saxony aligned with Austria • Great Britain defeated France
- 2. 1744 • Prussia invaded Bohemia, but was expelled by Austria & Saxony 1745 • HRE Charles VII died – Austria jumped to invade Bavaria • France defeated British at Fontenroy • George II of Great Britain wanted peace – called for the Convention of Hanover o Treaty of Dresden: Prussia agreed to support candidacy of Maria- Theresa’s husband for HRE IF she ceded Silesia AND the cession would be guaranteed by Europe • Maria-Theresa’s husband = new Holy Roman Emperor, Francis I • War continued in low countries (esp. Italy) and in America 1748 • Maria-Theresa secured an alliance with Russia • Treaty of Aix-la-Chapelle signed, which restored status quo BUT… o Prussia: Gained Silesia Became a tremendous European power o Austria: Confirmed Pragmatic Sanction