Although technically fought during the Baroque Period, the War of Austrian Succession set the stage for the political climate of the Classical Period. It began when Holy Roman Emperor Charles VI died in 1740, his 23-year-old daughter Maria Theresa became Empress of Austria and leader of the Habsburgs.
In response, the 28-year-old King Frederick II of Prussia, which had just become independent of the Holy Roman Empire, sought to strengthen his own country's position by weakening Austria. He challenged Maria Theresa's succession, claiming that Salic Law prevented the titles from being inherited by a woman. Always eager for any opportunity to stick it to the Hapsburgs, King Louis XV of France immediately declared his support for Frederick.
Frederick attacked eastern Austria. Although the Prussian army was smaller than the Austrian army, they quickly captured and occupied the Austrian territory of Silesia. This act of war soon involved all the major powers of Europe, with fighting taking place in France, the Netherlands, Austria, Prussia, and in the colonies these countries held around the world.
In 1745, Maria Theresa's husband, Francis I, was elected Holy Roman Emperor, giving Maria influence over far more territory and resources. Austria dragged Prussia to a stalemate and the war continued for another three years.
A peace agreement, the Treaty of Aix-la-Chapelle, was reached in 1748. Maria Theresa kept her position, Prussia kept Silesia, and everything else returned to the status quo. The most significant consequence of the war was probably that Prussia had established itself, along with Great Britain, France, Austria, and Russia, as one of the great powers of Europe. Maria Theresa herself was a significant consequence as well, considering that among her children were the future Queen of France, Queen of Naples and Sicily, and two Holy Roman Emperors.
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