War of the Spanish Succession
The War of the Spanish Succession was fought from 1701 to 1714 over who would be the next king of Spain after the death of King Charles II, was childless. France wanted the new king to be Philip of Anjou, a grandson of its own king, Louis XIV, as Charles had stated in his will. However, that was opposed by England (which joined with Scotland in 1707 to form Great Britain), the Dutch Republic and other states in Europe because they feared that France would become too powerful.
The war was fought mostly in Europe, but there were also battles in the West Indies, South America and North America. In North America, the war is called Queen Anne's War after Anne, Queen of Great Britain.
The war ended by Philip of Anjou winning and ruling Spain as Philip V. Britain and its allies finally accepted him as next king of Spain, but he had to give up his in the order of succession to the French throne, and the two countries had to keep their monarchies separate. Also, Austria got most of Spanish Italy, and Britain got Spanish Menorca and Gibraltar.
War Of The Spanish Succession Media
- Charles II of Spain anonymous portrait.jpg
Charles II, 1665–1700, last Habsburg King of Spain
- Philippe de France proclamé roi d'Espagne.jpg
Proclamation of Philip of Anjou as Philip V of Spain, Versailles, 16 November 1700
- Grand Strategy, War of the Spanish Succession.png
France's central position required the Grand Alliance to attack on exterior lines.
- Battle of Vigo Bay 1702.webp
An Anglo-Dutch squadron captures a Spanish treasure fleet, Vigo Bay, October 1702
- II. Rákóczi Ferenc Mányoki.jpg
Francis Rákóczi, leader of the 1703–1711 Hungarian revolt; funded by France, this was a major distraction for Austria
Participants in the War of the Spanish Succession in 1703: Pro-Habsburg (orange) and Pro-Bourbon (lavender)
- North Italy 1700.png
Northern Italy; Milan, Savoy, and Mantua were the primary areas of conflict
- Low Countries 1700 and entrenched lines.png
Low Countries; note the location of Prince-Bishopric of Liège (in pink). Red lines show the pré carré, a double line of fortresses guarding the French border.
