Treaty of Defensive Alliance between Russia and Saxony
alliance. Three secret articles were also amended to the treaty.
The first secret article stated that the then ongoing War of Aus-
trian Succession was excluded as a casus foederisfor the treaty.
The second secret article pledged that, should the elector engage
in the war against France or increase his contingent beyond the
6,000 men already engaged, Hungary would compensate him.
The third secret article guaranteed free passage for the elector
with an escort of 1,200 men through Bohemia, Moravia, and
Silesia, from Saxony to Poland.
2.1086 Treaty of Defensive Alliance between
Russia and Saxony
Alliance Members:Russia and Saxony
Signed On:January 24, 1744, in the city of St. Petersburg
Alliance Type:Defense Pact (Type I)
Source:Consolidated Treaty Series,vol. 37, p. 237.
SUMMARY
After withdrawing from the anti-Austrian alliance in 1742, Saxony
reentered the war on the side of Austria. The Elector of Saxony, who
was also the king of Poland, received assurances regarding Moravia
and Upper Silesia from Maria Theresa. Maria Theresa, however, was
primarily interested in using the elector’s warm relationship with Rus-
sia as a means of securing Russian participation. In January 1744,
shortly after Saxony reentered the War of Austrian Succession, Saxony
and Russia renewed their friendship with an alliance.
Russian participation in the conflict was limited. The Russo-Swedish
War occupied Russia from 1741 to 1743. During the French campaign
in Austria, in the latter stages of the war, Russia was able to send
troops from Moscow to the Rhine River in 1748 to assist the Austrians,
but the Treaty of Aix-la-Chapelle was completed soon after, putting an
end to the war.
Description of Terms
The treaty pledged friendship between the two parties and a
renewal of their alliance signed in 1733. Russia pledged a con-
tingent of 12,000 men while Saxony pledged a Saxon or Polish
force of 8,000 in case of attack; both parties could request addi-
tional forces if needed. The party requisitioning the force was to
pay for its maintenance and support. The party that provided
the aid could withdraw its aid if the forces were urgently needed
at home. The alliance, set to last for at least fifteen years, was not
to be undermined by contradictory engagements with other
powers, and Poland would be invited to join.
Three separate articles to the treaty extended the notice nec-
essary for requesting assistance from three to six months (Arti-
cle 1), allowed for variations in the types of contingents pro-
vided by each party (Article 2), and allowed for subsidies or
other types of aid should the forces be unavailable or otherwise
predisposed (Article 3).
2.1087 Treaty of Quadruple Alliance
Alliance Members:Austria-Hungary, Great Britain, the Netherlands,
and Saxony (Poland)
Signed On:January 8, 1745, in the city of Warsaw
Alliance Type:Defense Pact (Type I)
Source:Consolidated Treaty Series,vol. 37, p. 307.SUMMARY
In January 1745, Austria and Saxony secured the financial support of
the Dutch Republic and Great Britain in the Treaty of Warsaw.
Together, Austria, Saxony, Great Britain, and the Dutch Republic
formed a quadruple alliance with the intent of returning Europe to the
prewar status quo.
Immediately after its formation, the alliance suffered a string of mili-
tary setbacks against the Prussians at Hohenfriedeberg, Soor, Henners-
dorf, and Kesselsdorf. Prince Charles Alexander, Maria Theresa’s most
trusted general for the alliance, was responsible for several defeats in
the Silesian campaign. By December 1745, the Treaty of Dresden was
signed, ending the second war in Silesia. Frederick II of Prussia
retained control over the Silesian territories taken from Maria Theresa
in exchange for recognizing Maria Theresa’s husband as Holy Roman
Emperor.Description of Terms
The parties to the treaty pledged to aid each other for their
mutual security and defense. Poland pledged to immediately
send 30,000 men to help Hungary, which was under attack.
England would pay Poland 150,000 pounds sterling per year on
a quarterly basis, and the Netherlands would pay 50,000
pounds, evaluated at 150,000 florins of Holland.
After trouble in Hungary ceased, Poland would redirect its
troops where the allies judged necessary, while the subsidy
would of course continue. Poland pledged to not stop fighting
for Hungary until peace became reestablished, and the others
pledged to do the same if Poland were attacked. Russia would be
invited to join the alliance.2.1088 Treaty of Alliance and Subsidy among
France, Naples (Two Sicilies), Spain, and Genoa
Alliance Members:France, Naples (Two Sicilies), Spain, and Genoa
Signed On:May 1, 1745, in the city of Aranjuez (Spain)
Alliance Type:Defense Pact (Type I)
Source:Consolidated Treaty Series,vol. 37, p. 353.SUMMARY
The Treaty of Worms signed by Great Britain, Austria, and Sardinia in
1743 spelled out a proposal for Sardinia to annex half of the Republic
of Genoa with Austrian and British consent. Though Genoa adhered
to a strict principle of neutrality, it needed an alliance with France and
Spain in order to ensure survival. Spain and France, wanting to detach
Sardinia and repatriate it to Spain, were more than willing to oblige.
After protracted negotiations, Spain, France, Genoa, and Naples