How did the invasion of Silesia begin the War of the Austrian Succession?

The invasion of Silesia by Frederick II of Prussia in December 1740 served as the catalyst for the War of the Austrian Succession by exploiting the vulnerability of the newly ascended Maria Theresa.1

Following the death of Charles VI in October 1740, the Pragmatic Sanction was intended to ensure a smooth transition of the Habsburg lands to Maria Theresa. However, Frederick II, possessing a well-funded and proficient army, chose to ignore these guarantees to seize the wealthy and strategically vital province of Silesia.214

This act of aggression did more than just target a province; it signaled to other European powers that the Habsburg dominions were potentially incapable of defending themselves. This perception of weakness encouraged a hostile coalition—including France, Bavaria, and Spain—to challenge Maria Theresa’s right to rule, thereby transforming a regional dispute into a general European conflict.31