Why did Maria Theresa and Fredrick the Great fight two wars against each other?

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Maria Theresa and Frederick the Great fought two major wars against each other, known as the War of Austrian Succession (1740-1748) and the Seven Years' War (1756-1763). These conflicts primarily arose due to political and territorial ambitions that shaped the complex landscape of European power dynamics during the 18th century.

To understand why these wars occurred, let's break down the key factors:

1. The Pragmatic Sanction: The War of Austrian Succession was triggered when Maria Theresa's father, Emperor Charles VI, died in 1740. Before his death, he had issued the Pragmatic Sanction, which aimed to secure the inheritance of his daughter, Maria Theresa, as the ruler of the Habsburg lands, including Austria, Bohemia, and Hungary. However, many European powers, including Frederick the Great of Prussia, disregarded this and saw the situation as an opportunity to assert their own territorial claims.

2. Territorial Disputes: Frederick the Great, desiring to seize parts of Silesia (a region in modern-day Poland) due to its economic and strategic importance, invaded the Habsburg territories shortly after Maria Theresa's accession. This led to the initiation of the War of Austrian Succession as Maria Theresa sought to defend her claims.

3. Balance of Power: The rivalry between Austria, led by Maria Theresa, and Prussia, led by Frederick the Great, was intertwined with the broader European balance of power. Various European powers, such as France and Britain, were involved in the conflicts due to their alliances and interests, escalating the scale of the wars.

4. Dynastic Ambitions: Both Maria Theresa and Frederick the Great aimed to expand their territories and influence, asserting their own dynastic ambitions. Their personal ambitions, combined with the desire to safeguard their respective realms, fueled their conflict.

To summarize, the wars between Maria Theresa and Frederick the Great arose from a complex web of political rivalries, territorial disputes, an assertion of dynastic ambitions, and the broader considerations of the balance of power in Europe. Understanding these factors helps to grasp the motivations behind their conflicts.