The events of 1741, however, were such as to compel a change of attitude.  The Prussians were in possession of Silesia; and spoliation, having begun so successfully, became infectious.  The aged Fleury was no longer able to restrain the war party in France.  In May at Nymphenburg a league was formed by France, Spain, Sardinia, Saxony and Poland, in conjunction with Prussia and Bavaria, to effect the overthrow of Maria Theresa and share her inheritance between them.  Resistance seemed hopeless.  A Franco-Bavarian army penetrated within a few miles of Vienna, and then overran Bohemia.  Charles Albert was crowned King of Bohemia at Prague and then (January, 1742) was elected Emperor under the title of Charles VII.

Before this election took place, however, English mediation had succeeded by the convention of Klein-Schnellendorf in securing a suspension of hostilities (October 9) between Austria and Prussia.  This left Frederick in possession of Silesia, but enabled the Queen of Hungary, supported by English and Dutch subsidies, not only to clear Bohemia from its invaders, but to conquer Bavaria.  At the very time when Charles Albert was elected Emperor, his own capital was occupied by his enemies.  In February, 1742, the long ministry of Walpole came to an end; and the party in favour of a more active participation in the war succeeded to office.  George II was now thoroughly alarmed for the safety of his Hanoverian dominions; and Lord Stair was sent to the Hague on a special mission to urge the States to range themselves definitely on the side of Maria Theresa.  But fears of a French onslaught on the southern Netherlands still caused timorous counsels to prevail.  The French ambassador, De Fenelon, on his part was lavish in vague promises not unmingled with veiled threats, so that the feeble directors of Dutch policy, torn between their duty to treaty obligations urged upon them by England, and their dread of the military power of France, helplessly resolved to cling to neutrality as long as possible.  But events proved too strong for them.  Without asking their permission, an English force of 16,000 men landed at Ostend and was sent to strengthen the garrison of the barrier fortresses (May, 1742).  The warlike operations of this year were on the whole favourable to Maria Theresa, who through English mediation, much against her will, secured peace with Prussia by the cession of Silesia.  The treaty between the two powers was signed at Berlin on July 28.  Hostilities with France continued; but, though both the Maritime Powers helped Austria with subsidies, neither Great Britain nor the States were at the close of the year officially at war with the French king.