# Frederick the Great Invades Silesia (1740)

URL: https://germany-history.com/timeline/1740-frederick-the-great-invades-silesia
Location: Silesia
Categories: ruler-change, main-event

Frederick II became King of Prussia in May 1740 and in December invaded Habsburg Silesia. He seized the rich province, confirmed in 1742 and 1745. The Prussian-Austrian rivalry dominated German history until 1866.

## Why it matters
It made Prussia a great power rivaling Austria.

Ruler at the time: [Charles VI](https://germany-history.com/rulers/charles-vi)

## Sources
- [Wikipedia – Frederick the Great](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Frederick_the_Great)
- [Wikipedia – First Silesian War](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/First_Silesian_War)
- [Encyclopaedia Britannica – Frederick the Great](https://www.britannica.com/biography/Frederick-II-king-of-Prussia)