Freelance Writing Jobs | Today's Articles | sign in

The Diplomatic Revolution of 1756

The Reversal of Traditional Alliances in Europe

Dec 30, 2008 Jason Chavis

The Diplomatic Revolution of 1756 was the prelude to the Seven Years' War, establishing the alliances that would stand for the duration of the conflict.

In 1756, a reversal of longstanding alliances occurred, setting the stage for conflict in continental Europe and the New World for the next decade. The War of Austrian Succession saw France and Prussia battle Great Britain and Austria. By the end of 1756, France was allied with Austria and Great Britain allied with Prussia.

Origins

Following the conclusion of the War of Austrian Succession, the Peace of Aix-la-Chapelle in 1748 was instituted. In order for Maria Theresa to retain her claim to the Habsburg throne and have her husband crowned Emperor of Austria, she had to relinquish certain territories to Great Britain and Spain. In addition, the area of land that was conquered by Prussia remained in the hands of Frederick the Great. This positioned Prussia as one of the great European powers.

Westminster Convention

A meeting between Great Britain and Prussia on January 16, 1756, established an agreement involving future conflict. Austria was poised to invade Silesia, the lands taken by Frederick the Great. Great Britain agreed to end its treaty with Austria as long as Prussia agreed to protect Hanover from French incursion. The Hanover monarchy was descended from the Brunswick-Luneburg line from Prussia, giving Frederick a greater interest in protecting the territory.

Meanwhile, Maria Theresa realized that Great Britain's alliance was ending and poised the Austrian Empire to make a bid for an alliance with France in her bid to reclaim Silesia.

First Treaty of Versailles

Count Wenzel Anton von Kaunitz was sent to France by Maria Theresa. Louis XV was reluctant to sign a treaty with Austria, however, when aggressions with Great Britain resumed, France aligned with the country. Frederick II had claimed lands along France's border, giving Louis XV added incentive to stand with Austria against Prussia. After the Westminster Convention concluded, Kaunitz secured France's dedication to an alliance with the First Treaty of Versailles, signed on May 1, 1756. The treaty stated that each country would supply 24,000 troops to each other if a conflict with a third party erupted.

Second Treaty of Versailles

Russia had established an alliance with Austria in 1746. Frederick II launched an invasion of Saxony designed to intimidate Russia from siding with its ally. However, Empress Elizabeth sent 80,000 troops in response, precipitating the Seven Years' War. The following year, on May 1, 1757, France and Austria signed the Second Treaty of Versailles. France was to receive the Austrian Netherlands while Austria received Parma. 129,000 French troops were sent to Austria along with 12 million livres in an effort to regain Silesia from Prussia.

With the series of alliances established, the sides of the Seven Year's War entered the conflict. Great Britain and Prussia face Austria, France and Russia.

The copyright of the article The Diplomatic Revolution of 1756 in W European History is owned by Jason Chavis. Permission to republish The Diplomatic Revolution of 1756 in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.

Alliances