Treaty of Aix-la-Chapelle (1668) facts for kids
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The Treaty of Aix-la-Chapelle (also known as the Treaty of Aachen) was an important agreement. It officially ended the War of Devolution between France and Spain. This treaty was signed on May 2, 1668, in the city of Aachen, which is also known as Aix-la-Chapelle in French. Spain officially agreed to the treaty a bit later, on May 7, 1669.
This peace agreement was helped along by a group of countries called the Triple Alliance. This alliance included the Dutch Republic (which is now the Netherlands), England, and Sweden. They acted as mediators to ensure the treaty was fair and followed.
What France Gained and Gave Back
The treaty set out what land King Louis XIV of France would keep and what he would give back to Spain.
Land Returned to Spain
King Louis XIV agreed to return three important cities to Spain:
He also gave back the entire province of Franche-Comté. This was a large area that France had taken during the war.
Land Kept by France
Even though France returned some land, King Louis XIV kept several other areas. These included:
Some of these cities, like Lille, Armentières, Bergues, and Douai, were very important. France wanted to keep them to make its northern border stronger. These cities are still part of France today. Other places, such as Tournai, Oudenarde, Courtrai, Veurne, Binche, Charleroi, and Ath, were kept for future military plans. They would help France if it decided to attack the Spanish Netherlands or the Dutch Republic again.
After the Treaty
The treaty allowed France to keep all the land it had taken in Flanders during the 1667 war. This part of the agreement was a bit unclear. Later, after another peace treaty called the Peace of Nijmegen in 1679, King Louis XIV used this unclear part to his advantage. He took control of many more villages and towns. He claimed these places were connected to the cities and lands France had gained in 1668.
See also
- List of treaties
- Treaty of Aix-la-Chapelle (1748)
In Spanish: Tratado de Aquisgrán (1668) para niños
