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How did Frederick the Great gain control of Silesia?

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Historical map showing the unification of Germany by Prussia in the late 19th century. The map highlights in green the Kingdom of Prussia as of 1866, and in yellow the additional territories that formed the German Empire by 1871-1918, encompassing most of north-central Europe. Neighboring countries such as France, Belgium, the Netherlands, Denmark, Sweden, Russia, Austria-Hungary, and Switzerland are labeled, with major regions and states within the empire clearly marked. — Prussia The unification of Germany by Prussia, which brought most of north-central Europe into one kingdom.

Frederick the Great gained control of Silesia by exploiting the vulnerability of the Austrian Habsburg monarchy following the death of Emperor Charles VI in 1740. Although the Hohenzollerns held weak dynastic claims to the region, Frederick’s primary motivation was the acquisition of the wealthy and strategically important province.123

Frederick invaded Silesia in December 1740, initiating the First Silesian War. Despite initial resistance, Prussian military successes—most notably at the Battle of Mollwitz—forced the Austrian ruler Maria Theresa to cede most of the territory in the Treaty of Berlin (1742).412

Frederick later reentered the conflict during the Second Silesian War (1744–45) to secure his position against growing Austrian power. The Treaty of Dresden (1745) ultimately confirmed Prussian possession of Silesia, a status later upheld following the Seven Years’ War and the Treaty of Hubertusburg in 1763.124