ABSTRACT
The share of Austria in the Partition of Poland is not least interesting as affording evidence that the direction of the foreign policy of the Hapsburgs was passing from the hands of Maria Theresa to those of her ambitious and energetic son. It was Joseph whose desire for territorial acquisitions had brought Austria into line with the holder of Silesia, Joseph who must be held responsible for the unworthy subterfuges by which a cloak of right was given to the retention of Bukovina, an action which was a poor return for Turkey's conduct in 1741. Maria Theresa, thinking Joseph was prepared to give way, had despatched Thugut to Berlin to renew them. The importance of Bavaria to Austria is one of the commonplaces of strategical geography: the years 1703-1704 and 1741—1744 tell their own tale. The Austrian position at Koniggratz was too strong to be attacked, and in September Frederick retreated.
