--- title: Map of Europe after the War of the Austrian Succession, 1748: Dynastic Rivalry and Balance of Power author: Simeon Netchev source: https://www.worldhistory.org/image/21734/map-of-europe-after-the-war-of-the-austrian-succes/ format: machine-readable-alternate license: Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0) updated: 2026-04-13 --- # Map of Europe after the War of the Austrian Succession, 1748: Dynastic Rivalry and Balance of Power _Authored by [Simeon Netchev](https://www.worldhistory.org/user/simeonnetchev/)_ ## Image File [![Map of Europe after the War of the Austrian Succession, 1748: Dynastic Rivalry and Balance of Power](https://www.worldhistory.org/uploads/images/21734.png)](https://www.worldhistory.org/uploads/images/21734.png) ## Image Caption The [War of the Austrian Succession](https://www.worldhistory.org/War_of_the_Austrian_Succession/) (1740–1748) reshaped the political balance of [Europe](https://www.worldhistory.org/europe/) after the [death](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/Death/) of Charles VI, Holy [Roman Emperor](https://www.worldhistory.org/Roman_Emperor/) (reign 1711–1740) and the contested accession of [Maria Theresa](https://www.worldhistory.org/Maria_Theresa/) (reign 1740–1780) to the Habsburg lands. Although the *Pragmatic Sanction* (1713) had been intended to secure her inheritance, rival powers challenged Habsburg claims, turning a dynastic dispute into a continental [war](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/War/) involving Austria, Prussia, France, [Britain](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/Britain/), Spain, Sardinia, and others. The conflict revealed the fragility of the European balance-of-power system: dynastic legitimacy mattered, but so did strategic opportunity. Above all, Prussia under [Frederick II](https://www.worldhistory.org/Frederick_II/) (“*the Great*,” reign 1740–1786) emerged as a major power through its seizure of most of Silesia, while the Habsburg monarchy, though battered, survived as a central force in European politics. The settlement reached in the Treaty of Aix-la-Chapelle (1748) ended the war without resolving all of its underlying tensions. Maria Theresa retained the core Habsburg inheritance, but Austria confirmed the loss of most of Silesia to Prussia, a change that transformed the political geography of Central Europe and intensified Austro-Prussian rivalry. In the Low Countries and [Italy](https://www.worldhistory.org/italy/), territories were restored or adjusted in ways meant to preserve equilibrium rather than produce decisive victory for any one side. The war therefore stands as a classic 18th-century struggle in which dynastic claims, military campaigns, and diplomatic settlements combined to preserve the state system while simultaneously destabilizing it. Far from creating lasting peace, the 1748 settlement set the stage for renewed confrontation in the Seven Years’ War (1756–1763) and for a new era of great-power competition. #### Editorial Review This human-authored image has been reviewed by our editorial team before publication to ensure accuracy, reliability and adherence to academic standards in accordance with our [editorial policy](https://www.worldhistory.org/static/editorial-policy/). ## About the Author Simeon is a freelance visual designer and history educator, passionate about the human stories that shape the past. - [Linkedin Profile](https://www.linkedin.com/in/simeon-netchev/) ## Cite This Work ### APA Netchev, S. (2026, April 13). Map of Europe after the War of the Austrian Succession, 1748: Dynastic Rivalry and Balance of Power. *World History Encyclopedia*. ### Chicago Netchev, Simeon. "Map of Europe after the War of the Austrian Succession, 1748: Dynastic Rivalry and Balance of Power." *World History Encyclopedia*, April 13, 2026. . ### MLA Netchev, Simeon. "Map of Europe after the War of the Austrian Succession, 1748: Dynastic Rivalry and Balance of Power." *World History Encyclopedia*, 13 Apr 2026, . ## License & Copyright Submitted by [Simeon Netchev](https://www.worldhistory.org/user/simeonnetchev/ "User Page: Simeon Netchev"), published on 13 April 2026. The copyright holder has published this content under the following license: [Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0deed.en). This licence only allows others to download this content and share it with others as long as the author is credited, but they can't change the content in any way or use it commercially. When republishing on the web a hyperlink back to the original content source URL must be included. Please note that content linked from this page may have different licensing terms.