War of the Spanish Succession Louis XIV, the expansion and decline of French power

Background 1690s - all Europe awaited imminent death of Charles II, king of Spain Charles II childless, and has no cousins in immediate Spanish Hapsburg line so question arises of who will inherit Spanish throne and vast territory! both Louis XIV and Austrian emperor Leopold I can make almost equal claim to throne both monarchs have a Hapsburg princess as a mother and Hapsburg princess as a wife (Maria Theresa – Louis XIV, but she has specifically renounced claims to Spanish throne)

Charles II

Europe, pre-War of the Spanish Succession

Hapsburg Succession

1698 – 1700: Partition Treaties, Wills, & Royal Drama 1698, William III and Louis XIV sign treaty to divide up Hapsburg domain held by Charles II sign partition treaty accepting right of young Joseph Ferdinand of Bavaria to all of Spain’s territory except Italy to be split between Hapsburgs and Bourbons (Milan to Austria, rest to French) but…Charles II not dead yet outraged at blatant carving up of his territory responds with will naming Joseph Ferdinand as heir to all of Spanish possessions son of Leopold I’s daughter and her Bavarian prince husband but Joseph Ferdinand dies, 1699

Further Treaties of Partition 1699 – William & Louis come up with second partition treaty more generous to Hapsburgs  son of Austrian emperor (Archduke Charles) to get everything except Italy and Lorraine (to France) ticks Charles II off again, so he changes his will again! leaves everything to Bourbon prince Philip, grandson of Louis XIV then Charles dies a month later ignoring the most recent partition treaty, Louis XIV accepts grandson’s inheritance and treats him as Philip V of Spain Austrians don’t accept this, though, and begin preparations for war!

1701 – 1702: A line in the sand – Europe takes sides as of 1701, fight was only between France and Austria (Louis XIV vs Leopold I) each fighting on behalf of successors, each of whom have been identified in Charles II’s will if crown is not accepted by grandson of Louis XIV (Philip V), throne will go to Archduke Charles, Leopold I’s son but, conflict soon draws in other European powers because Louis XIV begins taking an aggressive stance in order to defend his grandson’s claim

France vs. Austria…and others 1702, England and Holland enter war in support of Austrian emperor in response to French aggression along with many states within Germany, especially Prussia but, Bavaria joins war on France’s side, along with Spain, Portugal and Savoy reluctant allies, acting mainly out of fear of Bourbons (would change sides in 1703, when tide shifted in favour of Imperial forces)

1702 – 1706: Fortunes of War basic aims of war: each side trying to take control of territories which make up Spanish Hapsburg lands Austrian generals incredibly successful: Prince Eugene of Savoy rapidly seizes northern Italy, Duke of Marlborough advances into Spanish Netherlands

1711 – 1712: Royal Deaths 1710: Philip = 5th in line of succession to French throne; Archduke Charles is next in line for Austrian throne (Leopold dies, 1705, new emperor Joseph I is Charles’ brother) 1712: Philip 2nd in line of succession to French throne, because Louis XIV’s son dies 1711, along with 2 grandsons, 1712 2-year-old is French heir (later Louis XV) Archduke Charles is now Emperor Charles VI Joseph I died childless, 1710

Deaths, Problems, and New Strategies Charles VI, Emperor of Austria  problem for Allies! strategy all along has been to place Charles on the Spanish throne but now it’s unacceptable for him to be both Spanish king and Austrian Emperor!  other problem! Philip V of Spain cannot be allowed to inherit French throne! May 1712, persuaded to renounce all claims to France new political changes allow for peace negotiations to re- open, which are MUCH more favourable to France than previous terms

1713 – 1714: Treaties & Peace 1713: TREATY OF UTRECHT Peace between France, Great Britain, Netherlands Treaty of Rastatt, 1714, ended war between France and Austria Philip V guaranteed throne of Spain and Spanish overseas colonies Gibraltar ceded to Great Britain by Spain from France, Britain receives Newfoundland, Nova Scotia, Hudson Bay territory Louis XIV recognizes Protestant succession, promises to give no further support to exiled Stuarts same promise made in 1697, but broken during WOSS

1713 – 1714: Treaties & Peace, cont’d 1714: TREATY OF BADEN Peace between France and Holy Roman Empire Spanish Netherlands become Austrian Netherlands, Spanish territories in northern Italy ceded to Charles VI of Austria elector of Brandenburg is made king of Prussia Stasbourg and Alsace officially ceded to France

Pragmatic Sanction 1713, issued one week after signing of Treaty of Baden declared that Hapsburg inheritance is indivisible, and can pass through FEMALE heirs line of succession: son, daughter, then daughters of Joseph I by 1720, every major European state accepts the Sanction (France, Spain, Great Britain, Holland, Russia, Prussia) but doesn’t matter once Charles VI dies and is succeeded by Maria Theresa…

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