Europe's The Great War for Empire The Great War for Empire was one of the most important factors in shaping the economic and political futures for all of Europe in the eighteenth century and for all time to come. In this essay I will discuss the causes, the events, and finally the results of this important war, which consisted of the War of Austrian Succession and the Seven Years' War. The War of the Austrian Succession began as King Frederick II gained the throne to Prussia, and in less than a year ordered his troops to take and occupy the large Austrian province of Silesia. The leader of Austria was Maria Theresa; Although she was an inexperienced leader, she w