On This Day

War of the Austrian Succession: Prussia defeats Austria in the Battle of Mollwitz

The Battle of Mollwitz was fought by Prussia and Austria on 10 April 1741, during the First Silesian War (in the early stages of the War of the Austrian Succession).

The Battle of Mollwitz was fought by Prussia and Austria on 10 April 1741, during the First Silesian War (in the early stages of the War of the Austrian Succession). It was the first battle of the new Prussian King Frederick II, in which both sides made numerous military blunders. Frederick fled the battlefield, but the Prussian Army managed to attain victory. This battle cemented Frederick's authority over the newly conquered territory of Silesia and gave him valuable military experience.

Historical Significance

The Battle of Mollwitz was fought by Prussia and Austria on 10 April 1741, during the First Silesian War (in the early stages of the War of the Austrian Succession).

Events Before

  1. Charles de Bourbon, King of Naples, invites Jews to return to Sicily

    Charles de Bourbon, King of Naples, invites Jews to return to Sicily

  2. British Parliament passes the Plantation Act, naturalizing foreign Protestants and others residing for seven years or mo

    British Parliament passes the Plantation Act, naturalizing foreign Protestants and others residing for seven years or more in any of Britain's American colonies

  3. King Frederik II of Prussia ends torture and guarantees religion & freedom of the press

    King Frederik II of Prussia ends torture and guarantees religion & freedom of the press

  4. Jews are expelled from Little Russia by order of Tsarina Anne

    Jews are expelled from Little Russia by order of Tsarina Anne

  5. Prospero Lambertini chosen Pope Benedictus XIV

    Prospero Lambertini chosen Pope Benedictus XIV

Events After

  1. George Frideric Handel's oratorio "Messiah" is performed for the first time at the New Music Hall in Dublin

    Messiah (HWV 56) is an English-language oratorio composed in 1741 by George Frideric Handel. The text was compiled from the King James Bible and the Coverdale Psalter by Charles Jennens.

  2. First indoor swimming pool opens in Goodman's Fields, London

    First indoor swimming pool opens in Goodman's Fields, London

  3. HMS Tyger runs aground on coral reefs near Garden Key, Florida, (rediscovered 1993 and identified 2024) [1]

    HMS Tyger runs aground on coral reefs near Garden Key, Florida, (rediscovered 1993 and identified 2024) [1]

  4. German leaders elect Charles VII, Prince Elector of Bavaria, Holy Roman Emperor

    German leaders elect Charles VII, Prince Elector of Bavaria, Holy Roman Emperor

  5. Sardinia and Austria sign military alliance Convention of Turin

    The Convention of Turin was a 1742 agreement between Austria and Sardinia signed in the Sardinian capital of Turin.

More from the 1740s

Frequently Asked Questions

What happened on April 10, 1741?
The Battle of Mollwitz was fought by Prussia and Austria on 10 April 1741, during the First Silesian War (in the early stages of the War of the Austrian Succession). It was the first battle of the new Prussian King Frederick II, in which both sides made numerous military blunders. Frederick fled the battlefield, but the Prussian Army managed to attain victory.
Why is War of the Austrian Succession: Prussia defeats Austria in the Battle of Moll... significant?
The Battle of Mollwitz was fought by Prussia and Austria on 10 April 1741, during the First Silesian War (in the early stages of the War of the Austrian Succession).

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