October 20, 1740
Maria Theresa became the ruler of the Habsburg dominions following the death of her father, Charles VI, leading to the War of Austrian Succession.
Vienna, Austria | Habsburg Monarchy
On October 20, 1740, Maria Theresa ascended to the throne of the Habsburg dominions following the death of her father, Emperor Charles VI. This event marked a significant turning point in European history, as it set the stage for the War of Austrian Succession (1740–1748).
Charles VI’s Reign: Charles VI, Holy Roman Emperor from 1711 until his death in 1740, faced the challenge of ensuring a smooth succession. With no male heirs, he issued the Pragmatic Sanction of 1713, a legal mechanism designed to allow his daughter, Maria Theresa, to inherit the Habsburg lands.
Pragmatic Sanction: The Pragmatic Sanction was a diplomatic effort by Charles VI to secure recognition of Maria Theresa’s right to succeed him. He spent much of his reign negotiating with European powers to gain their acceptance of this decree.
Immediate Challenges: Upon Charles VI’s death, Maria Theresa, at the age of 23, inherited a vast and diverse empire, including Austria, Hungary, Croatia, Bohemia, and other territories. Despite the Pragmatic Sanction, her succession was contested by several European powers.
Opposition: The main challengers included Frederick II of Prussia, who invaded Silesia, and Charles Albert of Bavaria, who claimed the Habsburg throne. These challenges were partly due to the perception of Maria Theresa’s rule as weak and the opportunity to exploit the succession crisis.
Outbreak of War: The war began in December 1740 when Frederick II of Prussia invaded Silesia, a prosperous Habsburg province. This act of aggression was the catalyst for a broader conflict involving multiple European powers.
Key Players: The war saw alliances shift and included major powers such as France, Spain, Prussia, and Bavaria against Austria, which was supported by Great Britain, the Dutch Republic, and eventually Saxony and Sardinia.
Major Battles: Significant battles included the Battle of Mollwitz (1741), the Battle of Dettingen (1743), and the Battle of Fontenoy (1745). These battles demonstrated the shifting fortunes of war and the complex alliances at play.
Treaty of Aix-la-Chapelle (1748): The war concluded with the Treaty of Aix-la-Chapelle, which largely restored the status quo ante bellum but recognized Prussian control over Silesia, significantly altering the balance of power in Central Europe.
Maria Theresa’s Legacy: Despite the initial challenges, Maria Theresa proved to be a capable and reform-minded ruler. Her reign saw significant administrative, military, and educational reforms, strengthening the Habsburg state.
Long-term Impact: The War of Austrian Succession set the stage for future conflicts, notably the Seven Years’ War (1756–1763), and highlighted the fragility of European alliances and the importance of dynastic politics.
Maria Theresa’s ascension and the ensuing war underscored the complexities of succession in European monarchies and the intricate web of alliances and rivalries that characterized 18th-century geopolitics.
Source: en.wikipedia.org