Austria 1725-1762 Flashcards
How did war with Austria begin in 1740?
Habsburg emperor died in 1740
left daughter Maria Theresa to succeed hereditary possessions
Major powers had signed in return for concession for hereditary possessions
What happened as soon as Charles (emperor) died?
King of Prussia claimed and invaded Austrian province of SIlesia
France supported Prussia
Britian backedMaria Theresa
Russia could have helped
What was ELizabeth’s court opinion over France?
Bestchev (foreign minister) = Russias real enemy
–> wanted alliance between Britian, Austria and Russia agaisnt France and Prussia
COurt: admired French political and miliary power
What did Bestechev have to do in term of France?
Exploit ELizabeths only sentimental preference
(1742) Anglo-Russian Treaty
(1743) Austrian-Russian treaty
(1743) But had to accept Russo-Prussian treaty
Why and when did Russia help MAria Theresa?
1746-7
French success in Netheralnds and Germany threatened European balance of power
Why was Peace of Aix-la-Chapelle unsuccessful?
Russian columns took too long to move across Poland so allies made peace without them
Frederick II kept Silesia
Mutual resotarion conquests in EUrope, America and India
Russia took no part and gained nothing
What was position of countires after Austria succession?
war was indescisive and powers reconsidered
Theresa disatissfied with Britian (naval power) and couldnt amke contributionto recovery of silesia
She wanted to joine forces with France who were alarmed with ries of Prussian power
What was ELizabeths view after war of Austrian sucession?
Anti-prussian and pro-French
(Jan 1756) Joined Austria’s anti-prussian coalition
Axony joined
Frederick II only had Britain and Hanover
What awas first event of Seven years war?
Frederick invaded and conquered Saxony (1756)
–> immdeiately attacked by Austria and Russia
–> French won + defeated Autrains (1757)
What turned the tide in Seven years war?
Turned Prussian triumph to desperate fight for survival
Frederick could only hope Elizabeth would be sucessded by Peter (pro-prussian)
What was Battle of Gross-Jagersdorf?
1757
Russian force overan East Prussia and won
ELizabeth expected to overrun all of Prussia but Apraxin withdrew
WHy did Apraxin withdraw?
Short of supplies
Unwilling to invade if Peter came to thone
WHat happened when ELizabeth did not die?
Apraxin dismissed and Bestuzhev charged with treason
Commander Fermor took over and continued attack
What happened at battle of ZOrndorf?
(Aug 1758) Fermor won attack
taught Frederick courage and tenacity of Russia troops
What happeend after Zorndorf?
Retired after though ELizabeth might die
He was dismissed and war went on
WHo was Fermors successor and what did he do?
(1759) Saltykov joined hand with Austrian corps + Frederick on 12th Aug
What happened at Kundersnorf wherethey met Frederick?
Frederick misread terrain and badly underestimated opponent
Saltykov anticipated F’s attempt to outflank through forest
Prussians faced with strongest part of RUssian army
How did battle at Kundersnorf end?
Frederick launched cavalary cahrge
–> horsemen bogged down + slaughtered
–> half of prussian troops enaged were killed, wounded
WHy did Frederick postpone and end to war?
allied differecnes over war aims and strategy
Austro-French fear of Russia
What happened after Saltykov fell ill?
Rumiantsev was his replacement
He was aware of regime change in St.Petersburg
How did war look like it was going to end?
(1761) Fredericks enemies closing in
Rumiantsev took great fortress of Kolberg
Britian withdrew subsidies to Frederick
What saved Frederick from anhilation?
Elizabeth died 5th Jan 1762
WHat did Peter III do once he came into power?
Withdrew from war and turned attention to conflict with Denamrk
What whas Maria Theresa left to do?
Forced to accept Treaty of Huberusburg
Prussia reatiend silesia
WHat was Peace of Paris?
(Feb 1763) Gave Britian collonial gains at expense of France and Spain
What did Russia gain out of 7 years war?
Notthing territorial
Military perforamce won fear and respect of major powers
Dominant force in Eastern Europe
