THE WARS OF LOUIS XIV
1667-1668: WAR OF DEVOLUTION
At the death of Philip IV of Spain (Louis's father-in-law), Louis claims the Spanish Netherlands (present-day Belgium). Technically, these territories did not belong to the Spanish government, but to the King of Spain. Since Louis's wife was the daughter of the King, Louis argues that these territories are only her share of her father's legacy.
French armies conquer much of the disputed territory and occupy Franche-Comte'.
England, the United Provinces, and Sweden for the Triple Alliance to oppose France.
TREATY OF AIX-LA-CHAPPELLE, 1688: Franche-Comte' restored to Spain. Louis given twelve towns on the border between France and the Spanish Netherlands.
1672-1678: THE FRANCO-DUTCH WAR
The United Provinces (present-day Netherlands) had opposed Louis in his first war. They had also given refuge to writers and politicians who opposed him. Even worse, their fleet was posing a threat to the economic dominance of France in the region.
Treaty of Dover, 1670: Louis and Charles II of England agree to keep peace with each other. The Triple Alliance is destroyed. A similar treaty removes Sweden from the conflict.
French advances into Holland are stopped only when the Dutch cut their dikes and threaten to drown the French armies.
Frederick William of Brandenburg, the Spanish, and the Holy Roman Empire enter the war against France. Sweden enters in support of Louis.
TREATIES OF NIJMWEGEN, 1678-9
1. United Provinces keep all their territory, on condition on their maintaining neutrality in the future.
2. Spain gives Franche-Comte' to France.
3. Spain and France trade control of key towns near the border between France and the Spanish Netherlands. France acquires some towns on its border with the Empire from the Emperor.
1680-1683: Without opposition, Louis occupies areas on the borders with the Spanish Netherlands and the Empire, including Metz, Breisach, Besancon, Saarbrucken, Luxembourg, Zweibrucken, Strassbourg, Trier, and Lorraine.
1688-1697: WAR OF THE LEAGUE OF AUGSBURG
As with the War of Devolution, Louis lays claims to lands in the Palatinate upon the death of its Elector, citing family connections as his justification.
The League of Augsburg is formed to oppose Louis. Organized by William of Orange, (stadtholder of the United Provinces and later to become King William III of England), the League includes the the United Provinces, Holy Roman Emperor, Sweden, Spain, Bavaria, Saxony, and the Palatinate. When William becomes King of England, England joins the League and the War. Savoy joins later also.
1697: THE TREATY OF RYSWICK ends the war
1. France, England, and the United Provinces restore to each other all lands taken from each other during the war, including lands in overseas colonies.
2. William is recognized as the legitimate King of England, Anne as his successor. Louis agrees not to assist their enemies. (This provision was aimed at discouraging him from trying tgo restore James II.)
3. Fortresses in the Spanish Netherlands to be garrisoned with Dutch troops to provide a barrier between France and the United Provinces.
4. France returns to Spain most of the places she had taken in the unopposed occupations of the 1680s. A similar agreement restores most the lands and towns taken from the Empire.
5. The King of Sweden is recognized as Count Palatine of the Rhine.
6. The Rhine is declared free to all navigation.
1701-1714: WAR OF THE SPANISH SUCCESSION
Charles II of Spain dies without children, naming Louis's grandson (Philip) as his heir. The Habsburgs (Charles was a Habsburg) dispute the claim, arguing that Charles had agreed to let the crown stay in the family. Most of Europe, led by England and the United Provinces, opposes allowing any of Louis's relatives to control Spain, fearing that a united France and Spain, using the tremendous wealth of the Spanish colonies, would pose a threat to the security of the entire world. Savoy, Mantua, Bavaria, and Cologne support France. Portugal joins the Grand Alliance of England, the Emperor, the United Provinces, and Prussia. Savoy switches sides in 1703.
1711: Emperor Joseph dies. Charles, the Habsburg and Alliance claimant to the Spanish throne, now controls the Empire. Now, if he should get the throne, he would control a vast empire. Now, he seems as much a threat as Louis to the Dutch and British. The Grand Alliance is dissolved.
1713: TREATY OF UTRECHT
1. Britain gets recognition of the validity of the Protestant succession. It also receives Newfoundland, Nova Scotia, and the Hudson's Bay territory from France.
2. Britain receives Gibraltar, Minorca, and the asiento from Spain.
3. The United Provinces receives the Spanish Netherlands, which they promise to give to the Empire after the signing of a treaty which will allow Dutch troops to garrison border forts.
4. Savoy receives Sicily and territory in Northern Italy.
5. Prussia receives international recognition of the royal title and small territories in Western Germany. Prussia surrenders claims to Orange-Rhone to the French.
6. Philip V is recognized as King of Spain, but it is specified that the crowns of Spain and France will never be worn by one person.
1714 - TREATY OF RASTATT AND BADEN
1. The Empire takes the Spanish Netherlands from the United Provinces, agreeing to the garrison treaty.
2. The Empire (now Austria) receives Naples, Sardinia, and Milan.
3. No peace between Spain and the Emperor, who refuses to recognize Philip's claim and title.