From the middle of the 17th century to the end of the 18th century, there were many wars of succession in Europe, which were fierce political and military conflicts between European powers at that time, and they were an important way to change the territorial scope, balance of power and political pattern.
The Bourbons and the Habsburgs
Since two countries are married to each other or a clan divides several countries, the royal families can compete with each other for the throne, or they can unite against each other. Therefore, only by understanding the royal relationship can we fully understand the history of Europe at that time. The Bourbons and Habsburgs are typical in this regard.
A branch of the Bourbon family ruled France from 1589 to 1830 (intermittently). The other ruled Spain from 1700 to 1931 (intermittently). A third branch ruled (intermittently) in the Kingdom of Naples in Italy from 1735 to 1860. The fourth branch ruled from 1748 to 1860 in the Duchy of Parma-Piacenza, Italy. In addition, the wife of King Louis XIII of France was the daughter of King Philip III of the Habsburg family of Spain. The wife of Louis XIV, the "Sun King", was a princess of King Philip IV of Spain. Louis XV's wife was the daughter of King Slechinski of Poland. Because of these royal ties, France was able to openly intervene in the affairs of Spain, Italy, and Poland.
The main branch of the Habsburgs ruled Austria from 1273 to 1918 and held the thrones of the Holy Roman Empire, the Austrian Empire and the Austro-Hungarian Empire. The other ruled Spain from 1516 to 1700. A third branch ruled from 1765 to 1860 in the Grand Duchy of Toscanne, Italy. Charles I, King of Spain from 1516 to 1556, was also Holy Roman Emperor of Germany from 1519 to 1556, known as Charles V. His mother was the daughter and heir to the throne of King Ferdinand V of Spain. In this way, when the Spanish or Italian thrones are vacant or politically unstable, Austria can take the opportunity to intervene.
At the same time, due to the intermarriage between the Habsburgs and the Bourbons, France and Spain could also intervene in Austrian affairs. The above-mentioned intertwined royal relations have made the international relations in Europe in the early modern period a complicated situation.
The Twenty and Thirty Years' War
The Thirty Years' War, between 1618 and 1648, was a european war and a watershed in the history of european medieval and modern international relations. The consequences of the Thirty Years' War were severe: Austria lost its hegemony over the Continent, Germany continued to be divided, and France has since shaped the situation in Europe. This advantage of France remained until the beginning of the 18th century. In the first half of the 18th century, there were wars of succession between Spain, Poland and Austria. Europe's international relations at that time fully demonstrated its complexity.
In 1700, Charles II of the Habsburg dynasty of Spain died, and since there was no heir, he declared in his will that it would be decided by Philippe, grandson of King Louis XIV of France. Dangru succeeded to the Spanish throne, but Spain and France never merged. As a result, the situation deteriorated, and France and Austria each colluded with a faction in Spain to compete.
Louis XIV of France and Queen Marie-Teres (sister of Charles II) wanted their son Louis to receive the Spanish throne. The Spanish pro-French faction strongly supports this.
Austria also requested it. Kaiser Leopolt I was the brother-in-law and brother-in-law of Charles II of Spain. The Queen of Spain and other "Austrians" favored Leopolt I's succession to the Spanish throne.
France and Austria are vying not only for the Spanish throne, but in essence for the superior position of the Kingdom of Spain in the world. Spain is strategically important, with many possessions in Europe, the Americas and the Pacific. Its prestige has long been lost, but its vast territory is the prey pursued by France, Austria, Britain, the Netherlands and other countries.
Third, Spain has a situation of two kings competing for the throne
In 1700 Philip? When Ru ascended the throne in Spain, he was called Philip V. Soon after, France announced that he had the right to the French throne as the grandson of Louis XIV. Louis XIV triumphantly declared, "The Pyrenees are no longer there. "The Franco-Spanish merger is on the agenda. However, the following year the Kaiser sent troops to invade Italy to prevent the French from seizing the Spanish Duchy of Milan. In 1702 England declared war on France. The German Emperor decided that his prince Archduke Charles would succeed to the Spanish throne. Archduke Charles landed in Portugal under the protection of the British fleet; declared himself King of Spain, and fought against Philip V. Spain saw a two-king struggle for the throne.
France, which had only the support of Philip V of Spain during the war, actually fought alone, and after a few years the finances were exhausted, and there was a peasant uprising in the country, and it was in a difficult situation. However, between 1710 and 1711, the Political Situation in England suddenly changed, and the Whigs lost the campaign due to their poor performance. Tories held a cabinet that advocated an armistice and compromise with France. At the same time, the German Emperor Joseph I died and was succeeded by his brother Archduke Charles, known as Charles VI. Seeing that Charles VI would rule Spain at the same time, england would meet another formidable competitor and immediately changed its policy and turned to france and anti-Austria. Britain and France secretly negotiated and stopped fighting.
In 1712, the French defeated the Austrians. In 1713, France and Spain signed the Treaty of Utrecht with Britain, the Netherlands, Portugal and other countries, and the following year France and Austria concluded the Treaty of Rastatt. According to the treaty, England received Gibraltar and the French North American colonies; France had to dismantle the Dunkirk fortress, promised no longer to support the Pro-French forces of England, and handed over the cities that had occupied the right bank of the Rhine; austria received the kingdoms of Naples and satin and other regions as well as the Spanish Netherlands; the Spanish throne was succeeded by Philip V, the grandson of Louis XIV, but France and Spain never merged, and Spain preserved its colonies. After the war, the situation in Europe eased.
4. The Polish dispute
When King August II of Poland died in 1733, the Polish Council of Nobility elected a new king as was customary, and Stanislas Leczynski was elected. He was the father-in-law of King Louis XV of France, supported by France. However, Russia, Austria, and Prussia had long colluded to divide Poland, and they were very dissatisfied with this. The Polish nobility was also divided into two factions. The Russians then invaded Poland and declared the son of the late king august iii. Lechinsky was besieged by the Russians in Gdansk. France sent troops for reinforcements, but by the time its fleet arrived, Gdansk had fallen and Lechinsky fled.
France was supported by Spain and Sardinia. The French occupied the Duchy of Lorraine, which was then part of the German Empire, and french and Western armies invaded northern and southern Italy respectively. The Russians supported the Austrians and advanced to the banks of the Rhine. The French defeated the Austrians several times. France and Austria concluded the Peace of Vienna in 1738: August III was recognized as King of Poland. Lechinsky remained king for life and held the Duchy of Lorraine, which he incorporated into France after his death. The Bourbons of Spain received the Kingdom of The Two Sicilies in southern Italy from Austria, but promised not to merge.
In 1739, Russia announced its agreement to the treaty. In the case of Poland, France received some compensation in Lorraine, but it did not achieve the desired purpose. Russia and Austria gained the upper hand, and Russia's influence in Europe increased.
A new conflict broke out on the Austrian throne
Just after the end of the Polish dispute, a new conflict broke out in Europe over the Austrian throne In 1740, the German Emperor and the Austrian monarch Chari VI died. Childless, he ordered his daughter Mary-Tyrjesha to succeed to the throne on his deathbed, i.e., still maintained by the Habsburgs, and therefore broke his promise that if he was childless, he would be succeeded by the daughter of his eldest brother Joseph I. Joseph I's two daughters were married to the Elector of Saxony and the Elector of Bavaria. At this time, Bavaria and Saxony immediately opposed Theramari-Tyreza's succession to the throne, and was supported by Prussia. France took the opportunity to form an anti-Austrian alliance with Spain, Prussia and Bavaria against Marie-Tyreza. The British initially held a neutral attitude, but later supported the Austrian Queen for fear of the growing power of France.
At the end of 1740, the Prussians invaded Austrian Silesia without declaring war, and the following year the army entered the war. In 1742, the Treaty of Prussia and Austria was made, and the French army lost the initiative. In 1743, Britain and the Netherlands defeated the French army, and the following year the Austrian army invaded Alsace. The Prussians re-invaded Austria and supported the French army, which was defeated by the French and Prussian armies. But in 1746 the British blockaded French ports and the French were defeated in Italy. At this point, the warring parties were exhausted and inclined to peace.
In 1748, Britain, the Netherlands and France concluded the Treaty of Aachen, and Austria, Spain and other countries immediately participated. The peace treaty stipulated that Mary-Teresa would retain the throne and most of the territory, the Habsburgs would retain the throne of the German Empire, Prussia would acquire Silesia, Spain would receive part of Austrian Italy, France would receive assurances of continued ownership of Lorraine, and England would receive a promise from France to stop opposing King George II.
As a result of the War of succession to the Austrian throne, Austria, Prussia and Britain have all gained. France was heavily depleted of human and financial resources and further lost control of Europe. The balance of power in Europe is increasingly forming.
At the end of the Six- and Seven-Year War, France essentially lost its overseas colonies
The Seven Years' War of 1756-1763 made the situation a foregone conclusion. With the weakening of France, the contradictions between France and Austria have eased day by day. However, the contradictions between Britain and France continued to intensify, and they mainly competed for control of the sea and the colonies. In the Seven Years' War, France, Austria, and Russia formed an alliance against Britain and Prussia. In 1960, the Russian and Austrian forces occupied the Prussian capital Berlin. In 1761, France, Spain and the Bourbons of Naples signed a "family treaty" to jointly oppose British maritime superiority.
In 1763, Britain and France concluded the Treaty of Paris, and The Peace of Hubersburg was concluded between Prussia and Austria, ending the Seven Years' War. France essentially lost its overseas colonies. Britain gained access to Canada, East Louisiana, Florida, and other places, while establishing its own advantages at sea and in the colonies.
After several wars of succession in Europe over the past hundred years or so, a new political landscape has emerged. France lost its hegemony, France and Austria changed from feuds to allies, and the major flags of Britain, France, Austria, Prussia and Russia were equal and in a balance of power. This new situation in Europe lasted until the French Revolution.