War of the Austrian Succession

The War of the Austrian Succession (1740–1748) involved most countries in Europe and was fought over Archduchess Maria Theresa's succession to the Habsburg monarchy. The war included other conflicts such as King George's War in British North America, the War of Jenkins' Ear in South America and the Caribbean Sea (which formally began on 23 October 1739), the First Carnatic War in India, the Jacobite rising of 1745 in Scotland and England, and the First and the Second Silesian Wars in Central Europe.

Maria Theresa was not allowed to succeed to the various crowns of her father, Charles VI, because Salic law would not let a woman inherit them. That gave an opportunity for France and Prussia, which were joined by Bavaria, to challenge the Habsburgs' power. Maria Theresa was supported by Great Britain, the Dutch Republic, Sardinia, and Saxony.

Spain had been at war with Britain over colonies and trade since 1739 to re-establish its influence in Northern Italy, which Austria had taken during the War of the Spanish Succession in the early 18th century.

The war ended with the Treaty of Aix-la-Chapelle in 1748. Maria Theresa was confirmed as Archduchess of Austria and Queen of Hungary, but Prussia kept control of Silesia. The peace did not last, however, because Maria Theresa wanted to recapture Silesia and political upheaval occurred in Europe. Those factors led to the Seven Years' War (1756–1763).