WAR OF THE SPANISH SUCCESSION
What was the BIG DEAL?
As a dying and childless king of Spain, Charles II promised the throne to Louis XIV’s grandson, Philip of Anjou at 16 years of age. This completely alarmed the surrounding European nations – if two of the most powerful nations in Europe combined in forces and in power, then there will be a doomsday for the rest of Europe. Thus in response to this, surrounding European nations such as England, the Netherlands, Denmark, Austria, and Portugal formed a coalition called the Great Alliance to prevent union of France and Spain.
Philip of Anjou, later to be Philip V of Spain.
bibliography: http://www.potbs-fes.org/page3.htm
BATTLES?!
The Great Alliance took France and Spain like a storm. Most of the fighting took place in Italy, the Netherlands and several other German states. Though some battles that took place were naval operations, the most important battles took place on land, and to be specific, in Italy and Bavaria, the Netherlands. The warfare started in Italy where an Austrian army invaded under Eugene of Savoy. In the Netherlands, John Churchill, an English commander, led the Anglo-Dutch-German army to reduce and bring down some of France’s fortresses in 1703. More importantly, Marlborough joined forces with Eugene and won over the French-Bavarian army in Bavaria, the Netherlands, pushing the French out of the German states and disallowing them to continue their push there.
Eugene of Savoy
bibliography: http://www.lindahines.net/blog/wp-content/uploads/
2009/01/eugene_of_savoy_during_the_battle_of_belgrade_17172.jpg
The French were further pushed into negotiating for peace as the Portuguese invaded Spain in 1707, and the Battle of Oudenaarde between France and Marlborough and Eugene. The Battle of Malplaquet confirmed Louis XIV’s decision to negotiate for peace with the Great Alliance.
PEACE FINALLY COMES
The Treaty of Utrecht in 1714 ended the war under certain terms. Young Philip was allowed to take the thrown of Spain as long as he did not combine forces with Louis of France. Out of this war, Britain gained the most as it took Gibraltar, south of Spain, which allowed them to control the entrance into the Mediterranean.
Gibraltar allowed the British to control trade coming in and out of the Mediterranean.
bibliography: http://www.photoglobe.info/hl_gibraltar/gibraltar_map.jpg
Click on background check: LOUIS XIV for more information on the uprising of the War.
