In 1756 Austria was making military preparations for war with Prussia and pursuing an alliance with Russia for this purpose. On June 2, 1746, Austria and Russia concluded a defensive alliance that covered their own territory and Poland against attack by Prussia or the Ottoman Empire. They also agreed to a secret clause that promised the restoration of Silesia and the countship of Glatz (now Kłodzko, Poland) to Austria in the event of hostilities with Prussia. Their real desire, however, was to destroy Frederick’s power altogether, reducing his sway to his electorate of Brandenburg and giving East Prussia to Poland, an exchange that would be accompanied by the cession of the Polish Duchy of Courland to Russia. Aleksey Petrovich, Graf (count) Bestuzhev-Ryumin, grand chancellor of Russia under Empress Elizabeth, was hostile to both France and Prussia, but he could not persuade Austrian statesman Wenzel Anton von Kaunitz to commit to offensive designs against Prussia so long as Prussia was able to rely on French support. COUNT 5
QSN1 What Russian-Austrian agreement preceded the Seven Years War that started in 1755-56? ANS1 June 2, 1746, Austria and Russia concluded a defensive alliance that covered their own territory and Poland against attack by Prussia or the Ottoman Empire QSN2 According to the Russian-Austrian pact of 1746, what would happen to Silesia in the event of hostilities with Prussia? ANS2 They also agreed to a secret clause that promised the restoration of Silesia and the countship of Glatz (now Kłodzko, Poland) to Austria QSN3 What other area was mentioned regarding Prussian dominion in the Russian-Austrian pact? ANS3 the countship of Glatz (now Kłodzko, Poland) to Austria QSN4 What individual was the main target of the pact? ANS4 Their real desire, however, was to destroy Frederick’s power altogether QSN5 Why couldn't Petrovich persuade Austria to invade Prussia? ANS5 he could not persuade Austrian statesman Wenzel Anton von Kaunitz to commit to offensive designs against Prussia