The War of the Austrian Succession, known in German as the Österreichischer Erbfolgekrieg, was a pivotal European conflict spanning from 1740 to 1748. At its core lay the persistent dynastic rivalry between the Houses of Bourbon and Habsburg, a struggle that had shaped European politics for centuries. This particular conflict, however, is especially remembered for ushering in the rise of Prussia as a formidable major power on the European stage. Far from being a localized affair, the war entangled numerous global territories, with related conflicts erupting across the world, including King George's War in North America, the War of Jenkins' Ear in the Caribbean and Central America, and the First Carnatic War in India, alongside the crucial First and Second Silesian Wars in Central Europe.

The ostensible trigger for this widespread conflict was the succession to the vast Habsburg Monarchy. Following the death of Emperor Charles VI, his daughter, Maria Theresa, claimed the throne based on the Pragmatic Sanction of 1713, a legal instrument designed to ensure her right to inherit. However, several European powers, most notably France, Prussia under its ambitious young King Frederick II, and Bavaria, viewed this as a golden opportunity. Rather than respecting the Pragmatic Sanction, they saw a chance to dismantle or significantly weaken the long-dominant Habsburg power, each hoping to carve out their own advantages from the ensuing chaos. This was less about legal right and more about political expediency and strategic gain.

The Shifting Alliances

Maria Theresa, demonstrating remarkable resolve for a young monarch inheriting a kingdom under siege, quickly found crucial allies. She was supported by Britain, the wealthy and powerful maritime nation, alongside the Dutch Republic and the Electorate of Hanover, which was linked to the British Crown through King George II. These became collectively known as the Pragmatic Allies, united by their shared interest in preserving the European balance of power, or at least preventing a significant shift towards France and its partners. As the conflict inevitably widened, it drew in a complex array of other participants, including Spain, seeking to regain influence in Italy, the Kingdom of Sardinia, Saxony, Sweden, and even, at times, Imperial Russia, highlighting the truly pan-European nature of the struggle.

Global Theatres of Conflict

The War of the Austrian Succession was fought across four primary theatres, each presenting unique strategic challenges and opportunities. Central Europe, particularly the hotly contested region of Silesia, became a crucial battleground where Prussia demonstrated its new military might. In 1740, Prussia swiftly occupied Silesia, a wealthy and populous Habsburg province, and successfully repelled subsequent Austrian efforts to reclaim it, solidifying its hold. To the west, the Austrian Netherlands (modern-day Belgium) saw significant French military action, with France conquering most of these territories between 1745 and 1748, marking a significant territorial gain. Meanwhile, in Italy, Austrian and Sardinian forces collaborated to effectively thwart Spanish attempts to regain lost territories in the northern part of the peninsula. Across the vast oceanic expanses, particularly in the Atlantic, a sustained British naval blockade, intensifying by 1747, proved devastating to French trade, severely impacting their economic capacity to wage war and supply their colonial ventures.

The Treaty of Aix-la-Chapelle (1748) and its Aftermath

The protracted and costly conflict eventually drew to a close with the signing of the Treaty of Aix-la-Chapelle in 1748. This treaty formally acknowledged Maria Theresa as the Archduchess of Austria and Queen of Hungary, confirming her inheritance of the Habsburg lands, albeit with significant territorial adjustments. However, the treaty largely reflected a stalemate rather than a decisive victory for any single power. Crucially, many of the underlying commercial and colonial issues that had initially fueled the war, such as trade routes and overseas possessions, were left unresolved, sowing the seeds for future conflicts. Consequently, many of the signatory powers expressed deep dissatisfaction with the terms. Louis XV of France, despite his armies having conquered much of the Austrian Netherlands, withdrew his forces for minimal tangible benefit, a decision that caused considerable dismay among both the French nobility and the wider populace who had borne the burden of war. Similarly, the Spanish considered their territorial gains in Italy inadequate, having failed to recover strategically important possessions like Menorca or Gibraltar, and viewed the reassertion of British commercial rights in the Americas as a direct insult. Even Maria Theresa, while acknowledged as her father's heir, did not view this as a full concession; she deeply resented Britain's role in compelling her to cede the valuable province of Silesia to Prussia, a loss she would never truly accept. For British statesmen, the war highlighted the vulnerability of George II's German possession, Hanover, to Prussian aggression, and many politicians felt that Britain had derived little benefit from the enormous subsidies paid to Austria, questioning the strategic alignment.

The Diplomatic Revolution

The widespread dissatisfaction and lingering grievances following the Treaty of Aix-la-Chapelle proved to be a catalyst for a dramatic realignment of European alliances, a seismic shift famously known as the Diplomatic Revolution. This unprecedented change saw the centuries-old enmity between the Bourbon House of France and the Habsburg House of Austria finally come to an end, as they forged an unexpected alliance. Simultaneously, Prussia, the rising power that had emerged so strongly from the recent conflict, aligned itself with Great Britain. These new, radically altered alliances set the stage for yet another major European and global conflict: the Seven Years' War, which would erupt in the following decade and reshape the global balance of power once more.

The Battle of Mollwitz: An Early Test for Frederick the Great

Amidst the early throes of the War of the Austrian Succession, specifically during the First Silesian War, the Battle of Mollwitz on 10 April 1741 provided a critical, albeit chaotic, early test for the burgeoning Prussian military. This engagement pitted the forces of Prussia against Austria and marked the very first major battle commanded by the ambitious young Prussian King Frederick II, soon to be known as Frederick the Great. Despite both sides making numerous tactical blunders throughout the day, and even a moment where King Frederick II himself famously fled the battlefield under the belief that the battle was lost, the disciplined Prussian Army ultimately managed to attain victory. This hard-won success at Mollwitz was instrumental in solidifying Frederick's authority over the newly conquered territory of Silesia and, perhaps more importantly, provided the young king with invaluable, if sometimes humbling, practical military experience that would shape his future command style and strategic thinking.

Frequently Asked Questions about the War of the Austrian Succession

What was the primary cause of the War of the Austrian Succession?

The primary cause was the question of Maria Theresa's right to inherit the Habsburg throne, as stipulated by the Pragmatic Sanction, following the death of her father, Emperor Charles VI. However, the true underlying causes were the ambitions of other European powers, particularly France, Prussia, and Bavaria, to challenge or diminish Habsburg power and expand their own influence.

Which countries were involved in the conflict?

The key participants included Maria Theresa's Habsburg Monarchy, supported by Britain, the Dutch Republic, and Hanover (collectively known as the Pragmatic Allies). Opposing them were powers like France, Prussia, and Bavaria, later joined by Spain, Sardinia, Saxony, Sweden, and, at times, Russia.

What was the significance of the Treaty of Aix-la-Chapelle (1748)?

The Treaty of Aix-la-Chapelle officially ended the war in 1748. It confirmed Maria Theresa's succession to the Habsburg lands (though she lost Silesia to Prussia) and largely restored the pre-war territorial status quo in many areas. However, it was widely seen as a stalemate, as many commercial and colonial issues remained unresolved, and most signatories were dissatisfied, laying the groundwork for future conflicts.

How did the war impact Prussia?

The war was crucial for Prussia, marking its definitive rise as a major European power. Under King Frederick II, Prussia successfully seized and retained the wealthy province of Silesia from Austria, significantly expanding its territory, population, and resources, and demonstrating the effectiveness of its disciplined army.

What was the "Diplomatic Revolution"?

The "Diplomatic Revolution" was a dramatic realignment of European alliances in the years following the War of the Austrian Succession. It saw the traditional rivals, France and Austria, forge a new alliance, while Prussia allied with Great Britain. This unprecedented shift directly led to the outbreak of the Seven Years' War in the subsequent decade.