Back to the video list: German History
The European rulers welcomed the opportunity t increase their influence because of the unclarity of the Austrian Succession in the 18th century. After eight years of war the status quo ante vellum was restored excepted a few territorial changes.
Video
Overview
- Date: 16 Dec 1740 – 18 Oct 1748
- Location: Holy Roman Empire, additionally Italy & India
- Start: Prussian invasion of Silesia
- End: Treaty of Aix-la-Chapelle (Treaty of Aachen)
Parties & Persons Involved
- Frederick (the Great) II of Prussia (1712 – 1786)
- Maria Theresa of Austria (1717 – 1780)
- Charles Albert of Bavaria (1697 – 1745), Also: Emperor Charles VII
Background
- All European powers strive to expand their influence
- Prussian ambitions to expand her territory into Silesia
- Bavaria, Spain & Saxony claim the ancestral territories of Habsburg because of different interpretations of:
- Succession Pact (12 Sep 1703): After the end of the (male) line - female members of the house of Habsburg are inheritable
- Pragmatic Sanction (19 Apr 1713): After the end of the (male) line - the daughter of the last monarch ascends to the throne
History
1740 - 1742
- 17 Dec 1740: Prussia invades Silesia & defeats Austrian forces
- Dec 1741: Bavaria, France & Saxony invade Bohemia / Karl Albrecht is crowned king
- 24 Jan & 12 Feb 1742: Karl Albrecht is elected & crowned Emperor
- 12 Feb 1742: Austria occupies Munich & Bavaria
- Mar – May 1742: Prussia attacks the Austrian heartland
- 28 Jul 1742: Peace of Berlin between Prussia & Austria – Prussia gains Silesia
- Apr – Sep 1742: Bavarian & French forces regain Bavaria
1743 - 1744
- 27 May 1743: Austria triumphs in the battle of Simbach & push the Bavarians & French over the Rhine
- 27 Jun 1743: British-Hanoverian army defeats the French at Dettingen
- Mar – Jun 1744: French troops attack British & Dutch forces
- Aug – Sep 1744: Prussia invades Bohemia
- Aug – Nov 1744: Bavarian & French forces regain Bavaria
1745 - 1748
- 20 Jan 1745: After the death of Charles VII Bavaria & Austria from an alliance
- Jun – Dec 1745: Several Prussian victories in Saxony & Silesia
- 25 Dec 1745: Treaty of Dresden
- 1746 – 1747: French forces occupy the Habsburg territories in the north & attack the Netherlands
- 30 Nov 1747: Russia promises Austria troops for the next year
- 18 Oct 1748: Treaty of Aix-la-Chapelle (Aachen)
Consequences & Impact
- The Pragmatic Sanction & therefore Maria Theresa are accepted
- Austria reforms her military & administration
- Status quo ante bellum with a few territorial changes
- Spain & Austria gain territories in Italy
- Prussia gains Silesia
- Prussia is established as a major power in Europe