Treaty of Vienna (1738)

Treaty of Vienna (1738) was a significant diplomatic agreement signed on November 18, 1738, in Vienna, Austria, by the Habsburg Monarchy, Kingdom of France, Duchy of Lorraine, and the Holy Roman Empire, aiming to resolve the War of the Polish Succession. The treaty involved key figures such as Charles VI, Holy Roman Emperor, Stanisław Leszczyński, and Louis XV of France, and was influenced by the Treaty of Berlin (1732), the Treaty of Hanover (1725), and the Congress of Soissons (1728). It marked a crucial point in the complex web of alliances and rivalries between European powers like Great Britain, Prussia, Saxony, and Russia during the 18th century. The treaty's negotiations were also impacted by the Ottoman Empire's interactions with Europe, particularly through the Treaty of Belgrade (1739) and the Treaty of Niš (1739).

● Introduction

The Treaty of Vienna (1738) was the culmination of diplomatic efforts to end the War of the Polish Succession, a conflict that involved many of the major European powers, including France, Austria, Prussia, Saxony, and Russia. Key players like Frederick William I of Prussia, Augustus II the Strong, and Elizabeth of Russia played significant roles in shaping the war's outcome and the subsequent treaty. The treaty's signing was also influenced by the Diplomatic Revolution and the complex system of alliances formed during the War of the Austrian Succession, which involved Maria Theresa of Austria, Frederick the Great, and Louis XV of France. Furthermore, the treaty had implications for the Bavarian Succession, the Silesian Wars, and the broader European balance of power, affecting states like Sweden, Denmark-Norway, and the Dutch Republic.

● Background

The War of the Polish Succession began in 1733, sparked by the death of Augustus II the Strong and the dispute over the succession to the Polish throne, with Stanisław Leszczyński and Augustus III of Poland being the main contenders. The conflict drew in major powers like France, which supported Stanisław Leszczyński, and Austria and Russia, which supported Augustus III of Poland. The war involved significant battles like the Battle of Bitonto and the Battle of Parma, and was influenced by the Treaty of Turin (1733), the Treaty of Escorial (1733), and the Treaty of Vienna (1735). Key figures such as Cardinal Fleury, Count von Kaunitz, and Prince Eugene of Savoy played crucial roles in the war and its diplomatic aftermath, which also involved the Papal States, the Kingdom of Sardinia, and the Electoral Palatinate.

● Terms of

the Treaty The Treaty of Vienna (1738) recognized Augustus III of Poland as the rightful king of Poland, while Stanisław Leszczyński was compensated with the Duchy of Lorraine, which he would rule until his death. The treaty also led to the transfer of Lorraine to Stanisław Leszczyński and the Habsburgs gaining control of Tuscany and Parma, with Charles VI, Holy Roman Emperor ensuring the Pragmatic Sanction of 1713 was recognized by the signatories. The terms were influenced by the Treaty of Seville (1729), the Treaty of Berlin (1742), and the Treaty of Dresden (1745), and involved negotiations between Great Britain, Prussia, Saxony, and Russia, as well as the Ottoman Empire and other European powers like Spain, Portugal, and the Republic of Venice.

● Consequences

The Treaty of Vienna (1738) had significant consequences for the balance of power in Europe, as it marked a temporary end to the conflict between France and the Habsburg Monarchy, and paved the way for future alliances and conflicts, including the War of the Austrian Succession and the Seven Years' War. The treaty's recognition of Augustus III of Poland as the king of Poland led to a period of relative stability in Eastern Europe, but also set the stage for future conflicts involving Prussia, Russia, and Austria, particularly in the context of the Partitions of Poland and the Congress of Vienna (1815). The treaty's impact was felt across Europe, influencing the policies of states like Sweden, Denmark-Norway, and the Dutch Republic, as well as the Holy Roman Empire and the Papal States.

● Significance

The Treaty of Vienna (1738) is significant because it demonstrates the complex system of alliances and rivalries that characterized European politics in the 18th century, involving key figures like Frederick the Great, Maria Theresa of Austria, and Louis XV of France. The treaty shows how the great powers of Europe, including Great Britain, France, Austria, Prussia, and Russia, interacted and influenced each other's policies, particularly in the context of the Diplomatic Revolution and the European balance of power. The treaty's legacy can be seen in the subsequent conflicts and alliances of the 18th century, including the War of the Austrian Succession, the Seven Years' War, and the Napoleonic Wars, which involved a wide range of European powers and had far-reaching consequences for the continent. The treaty remains an important part of the historical narrative, highlighting the intricate web of alliances, rivalries, and diplomatic maneuvers that shaped European history, from the Treaty of Utrecht (1713) to the Congress of Vienna (1815).