What was the War of the Austrian Succession?

The War of the Austrian Succession was a major European conflict fought from 1740 to 1748 across Europe, the Atlantic, and the Mediterranean. Its immediate cause was a challenge to Maria Theresa's right to inherit the Austrian lands, drawing in rival coalitions including France, Prussia, Great Britain, and Spain. The war concluded with the Treaty of Aix-la-Chapelle, which confirmed Maria Theresa in her titles but ultimately strained alliances and set the stage for future conflicts.

What we know

• The immediate cause of the war was the challenge to Maria Theresa's right to inherit Austria, which was challenged by France, Prussia, and Bavaria while backed by Great Britain, the Dutch Republic, and Hanover. [1, 2]
• Fighting began when Prussia occupied the wealthy Austrian province of Silesia in December 1740. [1, 2]
• The conflict concluded with the Treaty of Aix-la-Chapelle in October 1748, which confirmed Maria Theresa in her titles. [1, 2]
• British insistence that Austria cede Silesia to Prussia undermined the Anglo-Austrian Alliance and led to the Diplomatic Revolution. [1, 2]

Still open

• Many signatories were unhappy with the terms of the Treaty of Aix-la-Chapelle, and France gained very little in return for vast expenditure.

Where to go next

• what caused itWhy did Prussia occupy Silesia?
• what followedWhat was the Diplomatic Revolution?
• how it workedHow did the Treaty of Aix-la-Chapelle end the war?
• a case in pointKing George's War
• compared withWar of the Spanish Succession
• an unexpected connectionHow did a conflict over Austrian inheritance lead to naval clashes in South America?The European power struggle drew in global participants, leading to a Spanish ally successfully repelling a British invasion of South America during the broader conflict.

Sources

• [1]War of the Austrian Succession (Wikidata Q32929) · CC0 1.0
• [2]War of the Austrian Succession · CC BY-SA 4.0
• [3]War of the Polish Succession · CC BY-SA 4.0
• [4]War of the Spanish Succession · CC BY-SA 4.0
• [5]War of the Bavarian Succession · CC BY-SA 4.0