Find more facts and information on our topic page about War of the Austrian Succession

Austrian Succession, War of the

A Dictionary of World History

Austrian Succession, War of the (1740–48) A complicated European conflict in which the key issues were the right of MARIA THERESA of Austria to succeed to the lands of her father, Emperor Charles VI, and the right of her husband Francis of Lorraine to succeed to the imperial title. Francis's claims (in spite of the Pragmatic Sanction) were disputed by Charles Albert, Elector of Bavaria, supported by Frederick II of Prussia and Louis XV of France. Additionally Philip V of Spain and Maria Theresa were in dispute over who should have control of Italy, and Britain was challenging France and Spain's domination of the Mediterranean (War of JENKINS'S EAR), and fighting for control of India and America (King George's War).

After the death of Charles VI in 1740 war was precipitated by Frederick II of Prussia, who seized Silesia. The war began badly for Austria: the French seized Prague, a Spanish army landed in north Italy, Charles Albert was elected Holy Roman Emperor, and Silesia was ceded by treaty to Frederick II in 1742. Britain now supported Austria by organizing the so-called Pragmatic Army (Britain, Austria, Hanover, and Hesse) and under the personal command of George II it defeated the French at DETTINGEN in 1743. Savoy joined Austria and Britain (Treaty of Worms, September 1743) and the tide of war began to turn in Austria's favour. In 1744–45 Frederick II re-entered the war, determined to retain Silesia. Meanwhile Charles Albert died and Francis was elected Holy Roman Emperor in exchange for the return of the lands of Bavaria to the Elector's heir. Frederick II won a series of victories against Austria, and the Treaty of Dresden (1745) confirmed his possession of Silesia. The struggle between France and Britain intensified. The French supported the Jacobite invasion of Britain (the FORTY-FIVE) and in India the French captured the British town of Madras (1746). The British won major victories at sea: off Cape Finisterre, Spain and Belle-Ile, France in 1747. By 1748 all participants were ready for peace, which was concluded at AIX-LA-CHAPELLE. The war had been a long and costly effort by Maria Theresa to keep her Habsburg inheritance intact and in this she largely succeeded. But Austria was weakened and Prussia, which held Silesia, consolidated its position as a significant European power.

Find more facts and information related to the .
© A Dictionary of World History 2000, originally published by Oxford University Press 2000.

Related newspaper, magazine, and trade journal articles from HighBeam Research

(Including press releases, facts, information, and biographies)

	Teacher glimpses pieces ; ...their hopes and dreams. A few years ago Maria Theresa was a student in my class. She was...to talk. "You're a senior this year, Maria Theresa, what are your plans after graduation...collecting the papers from the kids. Maria Theresa's was blank. The other teacher asked... Read more
	A SILVER LEGEND: The Story of the Maria Theresa Thaler ; A SILVER LEGEND The Story of the Maria Theresa Thaler By Clara Semple published by...most successful coins ever made, the Maria Theresa thaler (MTT) circulated for over two...across the Middle East. The Empress Maria Theresa inherited the Habsburg throne, the... Read more
	The globetrotting Maria Theresa.(Mosaic)(Oman's Bait al Zubair museum)(The Maria Theresa Taler and Oman) ; ...Bait al Zubair museum in Muscat The Maria Theresa Taler and Oman--The story of an Austrian...overseas exhibition of the Taler. The Maria Theresa Taler of 1780 is probably the most...daalder , later anglicised to dollar. Maria Theresa (1740-1780) ranks as one of the greatest... Read more
	A Silver Legend.(A Silver Legend: The Story of the Maria Theresa Thaler )(Brief Article)(Book Review) ; A SILVER LEGEND The Story of the Maria Theresa Thaler By Clara Semple published by...most successful coins ever made, the Maria Theresa thaler (MTT) circulated for over two...across the Middle East. The Empress Maria Theresa inherited the Habsburg throne, the... Read more
	The globetrotting Maria Theresa ; ...Bait al Zubair museum in Muscat The Maria Theresa Taler and Oman - The story of an Austrian...overseas exhibition of the Taler. The Maria Theresa Taler of 1780 is probably the most...daalder", later anglicised to dollar. Maria Theresa (1740-1780) ranks as one of the greatest... Read more
	OBIT - LAWRENCE, CHARLES ALBERT ; Charles Albert Lawrence of Spencer, Va., died Saturday, May 20, 2006. Funeral services will be 2 p.m. Tuesday, May 23, 2006 at Howell Funeral Home in Patrick Springs, Va. Read more
	OBIT - CALL, CHARLES ALBERT ; Charles Albert Call, 66, of Marion, passed away Sunday, July 9, 2006. Funeral services will be conducted Wednesday July 12, 2006 at 11 a.m. from the Bradley's Funeral Home Chapel in Marion. Read more
	Capturing History - A Popular Silver Dollar.(Brief Article) ; The Maria Theresa taler (dollar) is one of the world...coins minted for export to Arabia Maria Theresa's widow's veil was reduced so she...northern village markets. Today the Maria Theresa taler is relegated to souvenir shops... Read more
	DRESS-DOWN FRIDAY ; ...Marie Antoinette's mother, the Empress Maria Theresa, thought it was all Louis's fault...whole thing sounds jolly painful.) Maria Theresa got it wrong - and I'm sure that if...world seriously. I feel sure that if Maria Theresa had applied herself to the small matter... Read more
	Charles A. Tindley to get grave marker: Eastern Pennsylvania Conference will place a monument on his grave ; ...Philadelphia Tribune, The 02-01-2002 Charles Albert Tindley is well known around the world...who became intrigued with the life of Charles Albert Tindley after learning that the hymns...reception. "It's very important because of Charles Albert Tindley's impact on religion and ... Read more

For more facts and information, see all related premium articles

Related entries from encyclopedias, dictionaries, and thesauruses

	Austrian Succession, War of the Austrian Succession, War of the. Most of western...Europe was plunged into war through Frederick the Great's invasion of Austrian Silesia in December...already fighting the War of Jenkins's Ear with...against them. British, Austrian, and Dutch troops...naval support for the ... Read more
	Austrian Succession, War of the Austrian Succession, War of the Most of western Europe was plunged into war through Frederick the Great's invasion of Austrian Silesia in December 1740, though Britain was already fighting the War of Jenkins's Ear with Spain. The eight years of continental and colonial warfare that ... Read more
	Austrian Succession, War of the Austrian Succession, War of the Conflict between Austria...German states, prompted by the succession (1740) of Maria Theresa to...Elector of Bavaria. The war began with Frederick II...first phase (First Silesian War) was concluded by the Treaty... Read more
	War of the Austrian Succession ...general European war. Causes of the War The war broke out when...of 1713, the Austrian archduchess Maria...counterclaims to the succession while Philip...First Silesian War Frederick II...Jenkins's Ear, War of ). Early in 1742 Austrian troops overran...forced out of the ... Read more
	War of the Austrian Succession War of the Austrian Succession (1740–48) a series of conflicts arising from the death of Charles VI, the Holy Roman Emperor and ruler of the Hapsburg lands...Archduchess Maria Theresa succeeded him but there were counterclaimants. Fighting began when King Frederick II of Prussia invaded the ... Read more

See all related entries