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