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The Wars of Austrian Succession 1740-1748

Outcomes

Colonial Battles

The Treaty of Aix Le Chapelle meant that all colonial conquests were reverted, with Britain regaining Madras, and France regaining Louisburg. However, after the treaty, tensions were still high in Europe, with a Frederick II writing 'This general pacification resembles rather a truce in which all parties profit from a period of repose...' This is reflected in the break out of the Seven Years War, less than a decade after.

However, a major change was that Prussia proved that it was a powerful nation, equal or superior to Austria and able to compete with nations such as Britain and Russia. The Hapsburg Empire was also significantly weakened with Maria Theresa losing Silesia to Frederick II. This war is also considered the start of the Austro-Prussian rivalry that would resurface in the Seven Years War.

It was after this war that relations between Britain and Austria began to strain. Austria sought to improve relations with France, whilst Britain became friendlier with Prussia.

Another outcome was that Act of Union (1707) was solidified by the defeat of the Jacobites, and the erosion of Scottish culture that ensued. This meant that the British no longer had to worry about the threat of the Scottish, and could focus its energy on colonial expansion.

Although much of the War of Austrian Succession was fought in Mainland Europe, from the years 1744-1748 Britain was fighting France in the Anglo- French War.

This took place in the West Indies, North America and India.

Key Events within this war were:-

1745- the French with their Indians allies destroyed the village of Saratoga, New York

1745- The British Capture of Louisburg.

1746- The French Capture of Madras

1748- The French capture of Maastricht

Who was involved

British Allies: The Hapsburg Empire, the Dutch Republic, Sardinia, Saxony and Russia.

British Enemies: Prussia, France, Spain, The Jacobites, Sicily, Naples,

Sweden and Bavaria.

Key Historical Figures

George II- King of England (1683 - 1760)

George II was the Hanoverian monarch of Britain. It is

suspected that he joined the 'Pragmatic Allies' due to worries

that France intended to invade Hanover.

Maria Theresa- Archduchess of Austria (1717-1780)

When Charles VI died unexpectedly, his 23 year old

daughter became the first Archduchess of Austria.

Frederick the Great- King of Prussia (1740–1786)

Frederick the Great became King upon the unexpected

death of his Father, Frederick I. He refused to accept Maria

Theresa, a woman, as ruler, and marched into Austrian

territory.

Charles Edward Stuart

Known to the English as 'The Great Pretender', Charles was

the grandson of James II, and represented the Stuart claim

to the throne during the wars of Austrian succession.

European Wars

The war was fought across the world in: the Netherlands, the Americas, Italy, the West Indies, as well as in India. Austria and Prussia fought in Silesia and Bohemia while French armies invaded Bavaria. In 1742 the French threatened Flanders, a region dominated by Austria and the Dutch Republic. A Pragmatic Army assembled to counter the French invasion, with troops from Austria and various German states including Hanover. George II, King of England and Elector of Hanover, sent English troops to join the Pragmatic Allies. However, George's concern was that the French intended to pass through the Low Countries and invade his beloved Hanover. The English force was dispatched to Flanders in mid-1742 and remained there until the end of the war in 1748, fighting the four battles of Dettingen, Fontenoy, Rocoux and Lauffeldt. There was one major interlude from late 1745 to 1746, when Prince Charles landed in Scotland and invaded England with a highland army. This was encouraged and resourced by France, brought the Hanoverian Crown to the brink of disaster and was retrieved only when the Flanders regiments returned to Britain and defeated the highlanders at Culloden Moor.

In 1743 the Pragmatic Army marched south to the Frankfurt region of Germany. There it was joined by George II and the battle of Dettingen was fought against the French Army of the Due de Noailles.

Treaty of Aix le chapelle

October 1748

Causes

The Jacobite Rising of 1745 ('The 45')

The war of Austrian succession began with the succession of Maria Theresa of Austria. The fact the ruler was a woman caused tension and contradicted the traditions of the Hapsburg family; which offered Louis the chance to take control of Austria by military means. The politics of the time meant that Britain was allied with Austria, in order to prevent Louis from realising his ambition. France was allied with Prussia who directly opposed Maria Theresa

A Jacobite- A supporter of the claim to the throne of the descendants of James II. Most Jacobites were Highlanders, many of which were Catholics who disliked the 1707 Act of Union with England.

This negotiated the end of the war of the Austrian succession. This was mainly negotiated by Britain and France. All other land taken in the war is returned except for Silesia which stays with Prussia (adding 50% population to Prussia). Maria Theresa’s thrown and inheritance is accepted by all European powers. Maria Theresa’s brother in law the elector of Bavaria succeeds in being given the title of the Holy Roman Emperor. However when he dies in 1745 it passes to Maria Theresa’s husband.

The Jacobites relied on support from France and Spain, who, as Catholics, were sympathetic the the Stuart Dynasty. As the War of Austrian Succession broke out, with England and France on opposing sides, Louis XV told Charles that he was willing to fund the Jacobite rebellion.

Charles sent word to the Jacobites of Scotland of an invasion. He received support from Catholic Highlanders, and at the point of crossing the English border, it is suspected that Charles had roughly 5000 men.

The Jacobites managed to reach Derby before they were forced to retreat, not receiving the funding from Louis XV that they were promised, and at Culloden the rebellion was subsequently crushed by the Duke of Cumberland. No mercy was shown, and the Jacobites were thoroughly destroyed.

The English also 'punished' the Scottish by crushing Highland culture. Plaid, the bagpipes and Gaelic were banned, and from then on the Scottish became increasingly Anglicized.

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