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