The War of Spanish Succession was a war that marked the context of disputes for thrones and colonial rule in Europe. King Charles II of Spain, married to the French princess Maria Luisa, had left no heirs able to command the Spanish government after his death. With this, the French king Luis XIV was interested in leaving the Spanish domains in the hands of his grandson Filipe V.
However, the possibility of union between the two crowns immensely displeased the interests of other European monarchies. The monarchs of England, Portugal and Holland made strong opposition to Archduke Charles of Sacro-Germanic Empire, which could unite Spanish and French domains under the hands of the family Hapsburg. At the same time, England and Holland were against French domination, as they feared the emergence of a new economic power that would harm the interests of both nations.
Fatigued by the conflicts that once took place during the War of the Grand Alliance, King Louis XIV of France decided to sign a diplomatic agreement. The treaty was established with King William III of England and defined that Joseph Ferdinand, prince of Bavaria, could to have dominion over the Spanish throne as long as the regions of Naples, Sicily and Milan were ceded to the future heir of the France. The Spanish king, Carlos II, opposed the treaty and decided to grant all Spanish thrones to José Ferdinando.
Carlos II's action, which could have ended the succession problem, fell apart with the unexpected death of José Ferdinando. In the year 1700 a new diplomatic agreement was signed between France, England and Holland. The new agreement provided that the French government should have control over Naples, Sicily and Milan; and the new king should be Archduke Charles. The Spanish heirs, unhappy with the new agreement, forced the dying King Charles II to hand over the throne to Felipe V. In this way, France had its unifying ambition with the rise of the new king.
Thus, the other kingdoms involved in the dispute did not accept the new agreement providing for the political and economic hegemony of France. Hostilities between European countries waged a war that sought to end the hegemony process of French domains. At the Battle of Blenheim in 1704, Dutch troops were victorious against the French in Bavaria. The French resistance still showed some strength over the next few years, making some small conquests.
In the year 1709, the Battle of Malplaquet sealed the victory of forces against the unification of French and Spanish territories. The weakening of the countries involved in the conflict opened peace negotiations. France, England and Holland signed the so-called Treaty of Utrecht in 1714. The end of the conflict established the political-territorial balance between the European monarchies.
16th to 19th century - wars - Brazil School
Source: Brazil School - https://brasilescola.uol.com.br/guerras/guerra-sucessao-espanhola.htm
