How One Woman's Right to Rule Plunged Europe into War

The War of the Austrian Succession (1740-1748) was a major conflict fought between the great powers of Europe, sparked by a dispute over the right of a woman – Maria Theresa – to succeed to the Austrian throne. Maria Theresa was supported by the Habsburg monarchy, Great Britain, the Dutch Republic, Hanover, Saxony, and Russia, a coalition known as the Pragmatic Alliance.