War of the Spanish Succession

Coronation of Philippe d'Anjou as Felipe V of Spain

The War of the Spanish Succession was a major European conflict that took place from 1700 to 1715. The death of childless Carlos II of Spain in November 1700 led to a bloody war over the Spanish Empire between France & Savoy and the Grand Alliance, with France backing Philippe d'Anjou and The Grand Alliance, consisting of Austria, the Dutch Republic, Savoy and Great Britain backing Charles III of Austria. Although severely weakened, Spain remained a great power whose territories included the Spanish Netherlands, large parts of Italy and large colonies, which meant its acquisition by either France or Austria potentially threatened the European balance of power. Attempts to resolve the issue through diplomacy were rejected by the Spanish. The war started when Philippe d'Anjou entered Madrid and was proclaimed as king of an undivided Spanish Empire on November 16th, 1700.

## Prelude

Carlos II of Spain became King of Spain at the age of four in 1665. He was sickly and was expected to die quickly, and two contenders debated his succession, those being Louis XIV of France and Holy Roman Emperor Leopold I of Austria. In 1689, Austria, England and the Netherlands have signed an alliance to back the Habsburg candidate in the issue of the Spanish Succession. The Spanish refused to allow their empire to be divided, and since its acquisition by either side would change the balance of power in both the eyes of the Dutch and the British, war was inevitable. By October 1697, it was clear Carlos would die childless and war would break out soon.

### Situations in Europe

Before the War of the Spanish Succession, Europe was entrenched in major wars which influenced the decisions made by the War of the Spanish Succession's belligerents.

#### Situation in Austria

Austria had recently exited out of two wars, from the Great Turkish War with the Ottomans in 1699, and the Nine Years' War with France in 1697. Austria, from the Siege of Vienna, was still devastated, but nonetheless able to fight competently.

#### Situation in France

France had been expanding its military since the beginning of the Nine Years' War with the Grand Alliance in 1688. By 1700, the French military had been the largest France had ever seen in its history. Even though Louis XIV was defeated during the War of the League of Augsburg, he still maintained a military hegemony over Continental Europe.

### The Partition Issue

Under the October 1698 Treaty of the Hague between France, Great Britain and the Dutch Republic, five-year old Josef Ferdinand von Wittelsbach was designated heir to Carlos II, but in return, France and the Habsburgs would receive parts of Spain's European territories. Charles and the Spanish court refused to accept this; on 14 November 1698, he published a will leaving the undivided Spanish monarchy to Josef Ferdinand after the death of Carlos II of Spain. However, Josef died in February 1699. By early October 1700, Charles was clearly dying; his final will left the throne to Louis XIV's grandson Philippe, the Duke of Anjou. However, if Philippe refused, the offer would pass to his younger brother Charles, the Duke of Berry, followed by Holy Roman Emperor Charles VI, then known as Archduke Charles of Austria. Carlos II of Spain died on November 1st of the year 1700, and on the 9th, Spanish ambassadors formally offered the throne to Philippe . Louis XIV of France briefly considered refusing to avoid war with the Grand Alliance, but was advised that the Habsburgs would fight a war against France regardless of their acceptance, so Louis therefore accepted on behalf of his grandson, who was crowned Felipe V of Spain on the 16th of November, 1700. Thus began the War of the Spanish Succession.

## Strategic Goals

It is no surprise that nations wanted to fulfill strategic goals from the war, as it was a major one. Strategic goals of each nation will be listed below.

The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland wished to upkeep balance of power, along with the United Provinces. The Habsburg Monarchy wanted to secure their birthright as Habsburgs and keep their claim to the Spanish throne. The French Kingdom wanted to expand their influence to Spain. Russia, Prussia, and the Papacy only joined the war for negotiating reasons. Spain wanted to keep their empire undivided. Bavaria was promised the Spanish Netherlands, and Portugal originally joined to protect Iberia, but switched sides to honour their alliance with Great Britain. Savoy joined in fear of Habsburg dominance, but switched sides due to popular opinion.