What was the great European war of 1701 to 1714 about?
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The Spanish throne
The king had died without a direct heir.
💡 Did you know? A union of Spain and France under the Bourbons loomed.
All questions with answers
Which childless king triggered the war by his death?
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Charles II of Spain
With him the Spanish line of the Habsburgs died out.
💡 Did you know? In his will he left everything to a Bourbon.
In which year did the war begin?
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1701
Half of Europe feared French dominance.
💡 Did you know? The war was also fought in the colonies.
Which French king was at the centre?
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Louis XIV
The “Sun King” wanted to place his grandson on the Spanish throne.
💡 Did you know? All of Europe feared French dominance.
Which grandson of Louis XIV became king of Spain?
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Philip V
He founded Spain's Bourbon dynasty, which still reigns today.
💡 Did you know? In return he had to renounce the French throne.
Which dynasties vied for the Spanish inheritance?
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Bourbons and Habsburgs
Both houses wanted to hold the powerful throne.
💡 Did you know? Habsburg Austria also claimed the throne.
Which alliance of England, the Dutch Republic and the Emperor opposed France?
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The Grand Alliance
England, the Netherlands and Austria joined forces.
💡 Did you know? Their aim was to preserve Europe's balance.
Which imperial commander became famous in this war?
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Prince Eugene of Savoy
He ranks among the greatest generals of his time.
💡 Did you know? In Vienna the Belvedere palace commemorates him.
Which English commander won alongside Prince Eugene?
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Duke of Marlborough
Together they beat the French several times.
💡 Did you know? He was an ancestor of Winston Churchill.
In which 1704 battle did the allies win decisively?
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Battle of Blenheim
French dominance was struck a serious blow for the first time.
💡 Did you know? The English name “Blenheim” derives from the village Blindheim.
Which peace treaty of 1713 largely ended the war?
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Peace of Utrecht
It split the Spanish inheritance among several powers.
💡 Did you know? It created a new balance of power in Europe.
Which Mediterranean territory passed to Britain?
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Gibraltar
Gibraltar remains British to this day.
💡 Did you know? The Rock guards the entrance to the Mediterranean.
Which Mediterranean island did Britain also gain?
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Menorca
The port of Mahón was strategically valuable.
💡 Did you know? Later Menorca returned to Spain.
Under what condition could Philip V remain king of Spain?
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No union with France
The crowns of Spain and France had to stay separate.
💡 Did you know? This was to prevent a Bourbon superpower.
What was the main aim of France's opponents?
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Balance of power in Europe
No single dynasty should become too powerful.
💡 Did you know? The balance-of-power principle shaped diplomacy for centuries.
Which lucrative trade right did Britain gain in the peace?
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The Asiento (slave trade)
It allowed the slave trade in Spanish America.
💡 Did you know? The trade brought Britain enormous profits.
To which country did the Spanish Netherlands pass?
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Austria
Present-day Belgium became Austrian.
💡 Did you know? They were henceforth called the Austrian Netherlands.
On which other continents was the war also fought?
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In the colonies in America
In North America the conflict was called “Queen Anne's War”.
💡 Did you know? The Caribbean too was a theatre of fighting.
What did the war mean for Britain?
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Rise to leading sea power
Gibraltar and trade rights strengthened its position.
💡 Did you know? The foundation for the British Empire was laid.
Which dynasty still reigns in Spain because of this war?
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The Bourbons
King Felipe VI comes from this house.
💡 Did you know? Philip V founded the Spanish Bourbon line.
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