Silesian Wars

The Silesian Wars were three conflicts between Prussia and Austria from 1740 to 1763, fought chiefly over control of Silesia.

Pragmatic Sanction of 1713: A Habsburg agreement, recognized by European powers, allowing women to inherit Habsburg lands. Its contested guarantee of Maria Theresa’s inheritance helped create the crisis surrounding the first war.
First Silesian War: The 1740–1742 conflict between Prussia and Austria over Silesia, ending with Prussian possession of most of the region. It began the series and established Prussia’s first claim to Silesia.
Prussian Army: The land forces of the Kingdom of Prussia, known for disciplined infantry and intensive training. Its battlefield performance let Prussia defend Silesia despite limited resources and hostile coalitions.
Kingdom of Prussia: A European kingdom that emerged from Brandenburg-Prussia and became a major German power. Holding Silesia enlarged Prussia’s territory, population, and resources.
War of the Bavarian Succession: The 1778–1779 conflict between Prussia and Austria over the succession to Bavaria. It revived Prussian-Austrian rivalry but concerned Bavaria rather than Silesia.
Maria Theresa: Archduchess of Austria and queen of Hungary and Bohemia who ruled the Habsburg monarchy from 1740 to 1780. She resisted Prussia’s seizure of Silesia throughout the wars.
Second Silesian War: The 1744–1745 conflict in which Prussia fought Austria and its allies to secure its Silesian gains. Its conclusion confirmed Prussia’s control after renewed Habsburg attempts to recover the province.
Habsburg monarchy: The dynastic composite monarchy ruled by the House of Habsburg in central Europe. Its military and administrative resources sustained Austria’s repeated attempts to recover Silesia.
Austro-Prussian rivalry: The long competition between Austria and Prussia for leadership among the German states. The wars entrenched their rivalry over power and influence in central Europe.
War of the Austrian Succession: A European conflict from 1740 to 1748 over Maria Theresa’s succession and the balance of power. The first two Silesian Wars occurred within this broader war, which involved additional dynastic and territorial aims.

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