|
This war was a result of the struggle for
the repartitioning of European possessions and the colonies of the
once-glorious Spain. King Louis XIV of France succeeded in enthroning his
grandson Philippe in Spain and planned to annex the Spanish domain to
France. The Austrian Habsburgers, who also claimed to have a right to the
Spanish Crown, stated their disapproval. Austria was supported by England,
which desired to usurp the Spanish colonies, and also by the Netherlands,
Portugal and Savoy. Despite their numerical superiority and offensive
action, the course of the war was unfortunate for the French forces. They
were crushed in the Battle of Hochstaedt. In 1706, the French were
defeated in the Battles of Turin and Rumillies. Now the enemies of France
took over. The army of Louis XIV was forced to switch to a defensive
approach. The French defeated the English and Austrian forces in the
Battle of Malplaquet, but the general outcome of the war was not in favour
of France. In 1714 in Rastatt, France signed a treaty surrendering all
claims to Spanish lands.
|
