The Wars of the Polish Succession were a series of conflicts in the 18th century that arose after the death of the Polish king, August II. These wars primarily involved competing claims to the Polish throne, with various European powers, including Austria, Russia, and France, supporting different candidates. The struggle highlighted the weakened state of the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth and its vulnerability to foreign intervention. The most notable conflicts occurred between 1733 and 1738, leading to the election of August III, the son of August II, as king. The wars ended with the Treaty of Vienna in 1738, which recognized August III's rule but also demonstrated the ongoing challenges faced by Poland in maintaining its sovereignty amid external pressures.