'Cold war' Prince Eugene of Savoy

prince eugene jan kupecký.

the 1720s saw rapidly changing alliances between european powers , constant diplomatic confrontation, largely on unsolved issues regarding quadruple alliance. emperor , spanish king continued use each other s titles, , charles vi still refused remove remaining legal obstacles don charles eventual succession duchies of parma , tuscany. yet in surprise move spain , austria moved closer signing of treaty of vienna in april/may 1725. in response britain, france, , prussia joined in alliance of hanover counter danger europe of austro-spanish hegemony. next 3 years there continual threat of war between hanover treaty powers , austro-spanish bloc.

from 1726 eugene gradually began regain political influence. many contacts throughout europe eugene, backed gundaker starhemberg , count schönborn, imperial vice-chancellor, managed secure powerful allies , strengthen emperor s position—his skill in managing vast secret diplomatic network on coming years main reason why charles vi once again came depend upon him. in august 1726 russia acceded austro-spanish alliance, , in october frederick william of prussia followed suit defecting allies signing of mutual defensive treaty emperor. despite conclusion of brief anglo-spanish conflict, war between european powers persisted throughout 1727–28. however, in 1729 elisabeth farnese abandoned austro-spanish alliance. realizing charles vi not drawn marriage pact wanted, elisabeth concluded best way secure son s succession parma , tuscany lay britain , france. eugene event seldom found in history . following prince s determined lead resist pressure, charles vi sent troops italy prevent entry of spanish garrisons contested duchies. beginning of 1730 eugene, had remained bellicose throughout whole period, again in control of austrian policy.

coalitions in europe between 1725 , 1730. signatories of treaty of vienna (april 30, 1725) in blue , signatories of treaty of hanover (september 3, 1725) in red. prussia, in brown, first joined hanoverian alliance, later changed sides after treaty of berlin on december 23, 1728.

in britain there emerged new political re-alignment anglo-french entente became increasingly defunct. believing resurgent france posed greatest danger security british ministers, headed robert walpole, moved reform anglo-austrian alliance, leading signing of second treaty of vienna on 16 march 1731. eugene had been austrian minister responsible alliance, believing once again provide security against france , spain. treaty compelled charles vi sacrifice ostend company (a rival english , dutch trading companies) , accept, unequivocally, accession of don charles parma , tuscany. in return king george ii king of great britain , elector of hanover guaranteed pragmatic sanction, device secure rights of emperor s daughter, maria theresa, entire habsburg inheritance. largely through eugene s diplomacy in january 1732 imperial diet guaranteed pragmatic sanction which, treaties britain, russia, , prussia, marked culmination of prince s diplomacy. treaty of vienna had infuriated court of king louis xv: french had been ignored , pragmatic sanction guaranteed, increasing habsburg influence , confirming austria s vast territorial size. emperor intended maria theresa marry francis stephen of lorraine present unacceptable threat on france s border. beginning of 1733 french army ready war: needed excuse.