Silesia

A province of the kingdom of Pru ia, included in the limits of the new German empire, lies south of the provinces of Brandenburg and Posen. Formerly a province of Poland; was invaded by John of Bohemia in 1325; ceded to him, 1355. In 1740, Frederick II. of Pru ia, taking advantage of the helple condition of Maria The res a of Austria, laid claims to certain portions of Silesia; and without declaring war, marched into and took po e ion of the province, maintaining his hold despite the utmost efforts of Austria in 1740-1742, and 1744-1745, called the first and second Silesian wars. After the third Silesian war, better known as the Seven Years’ War (which see), it was finally ceded (1763) to Pru ia. It was overrun by the French in 1807.