War of the Bavarian Succession

A 1778–1779 conflict between Austria and Prussia, with Saxony allied to Prussia, over the Habsburg succession to Bavaria. Its limited fighting and supply disruptions earned it the name “Potato War.”

Maximilian III Joseph, Elector of Bavaria: The Wittelsbach ruler of Bavaria from 1745 until his death in 1777, who left no direct heir. His death without an heir triggered the dispute over Bavaria.
Treaty of Teschen: The 1779 settlement that ended the War of the Bavarian Succession and adjusted Austrian claims. It ended the fighting by recognizing Austria’s acquisition of the Innviertel.
Convention of Gars: A 1778 agreement between Austrian and Prussian forces concerning their positions during the campaign. It illustrates the limited, negotiated character of military operations.
Bavaria: A region and historic state in southeastern Germany, ruled by the Wittelsbach dynasty before 1777. The conflict concerned its inheritance and reduced its territory through the 1779 settlement.
Charles Theodore, Elector of Bavaria: The Wittelsbach ruler who inherited Bavaria in 1777 while retaining his Palatine lands. His inheritance gave Austria an opening to claim Bavarian territory.
Innviertel: A region between the Inn and Salzach rivers, transferred from Bavaria to Austria in 1779. Its cession was the principal territorial result of the peace.
Battle of Habelschwerdt: A January 1779 Prussian attack on Austrian positions near Habelschwerdt in Silesia. This engagement was among the conflict’s few notable combat actions.
Austria: A central European state ruled by the Habsburg dynasty during the eighteenth century. Austria gained the Innviertel but failed to secure most of its desired Bavarian acquisitions.
Joseph II, Holy Roman Emperor: The Habsburg ruler who sought to expand Austrian influence and territory during his reign. He pursued the exchange that brought Austrian troops into Bavaria.
Prussian army: The armed forces of the Kingdom of Prussia, shaped by centralized administration and disciplined infantry. Prussian mobilization pressured Austria despite limited major combat.

Linked from 6 pages