War of the Spanish Succession facts for kids

The War of the Spanish Succession was a war which was fought from 1701 to 1714. It was fought over who had the right to be king of Spain after the previous king, Charles II, died childless. France wanted Philip of Anjou, a relative of its king, to rule. Great Britain, the Dutch Republic and other states wanted to prevent France from becoming more powerful.

The war was mostly fought in Europe but battles also happened in the West Indies, South America, and North America. In North America, it was called Queen Anne's War, since the ruler of Great Britain was Queen Anne. The war ended in Philip of Anjou ultimately winning and becoming the next king of Spain known as Philip V. Britain and its allies accepted Philip as King of Spain, who gave up his right to be king also of France. Austria got most of Spanish Italy, and Britain got Spanish Menorca and Gibraltar.

Images for kids

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  Charles II, 1665–1700, last Habsburg King of Spain; notice the Habsburg jaw

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  Louis XIV 1638–1715 (seated); his son Louis, Grand Dauphin 1661–1711 (left), grandson Louis of Burgundy 1682–1712 (right) and great-grandson Louis XV 1710–1774

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  Main participants in the War of the Spanish Succession in 1703. Red; Grand Alliance, Blue; France and allies.

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  An Anglo-Dutch squadron captures a Spanish treasure fleet, Vigo Bay October 1702

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  Francis Rákóczi, leader of the 1703–1711 Hungarian revolt; funded by France, this was a major distraction for Austria

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  Victor Amadeus II of Savoy (1666–1732)

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  Northern Italy; Milan, Savoy, and Mantua were the primary areas of conflict

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  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.

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  Peninsular Spain, showing Castile and Aragon

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  The West Indies; the huge profits associated with sugar production made this area highly significant

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  Malplaquet 1709: an Allied victory, the losses shocked Europe and increased the desire for peace.

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  Denain, July 1712; defeat ended Austrian and Dutch hopes of improving their negotiating position

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  The Treaty of Utrecht; Abraham Allard, 18th century

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  The Royal Navy destroys a Spanish fleet off Sicily, Cape Passaro, August 1718.

See also

In Spanish: Guerra de sucesión española para niños