The War of the Spanish Succession 1701 - 1714

"The War of the Spanish Succession, fought between 1701 and 1714 to decide who should inherit the Spanish throne, was a conflict on an unprecedented scale, stretching across most of western Europe, the high seas and the Americas. Yet this major subject is not well known and is little understood. That is why the publication of James Falkner's absorbing new study is so timely and important. In a clear and perceptive narrative he describes and analyses the complex political manoeuvres and a series of military campaigns which also involved the threat posed by the Ottoman Turks in the east and Sweden and Russia in the north. Fighting took place not just in Europe but in the Americas and Canada, and on the high seas. All European powers, large and small, were involved -- France, Spain, Great Britain, Holland, Austria and Portugal were the major players, while many others -- Savoy, Prussia, Hanover and Denmark -- were drawn into the conflict. The end result of almost twelve years of outright war was a French prince firmly established on the throne in Madrid and a division of the old Spanish empire. More notably though, French power, previously so dominant, was curbed for almost ninety years, with a balance of power being established in Europe which was only overset with the emergence of the military genius of Emperor Napoleon."--Publisher's description;The line of succession to the throne of Spain -- Chronology: the principal events of the War of the Spanish Succession -- This is the king of Spain -- The Grand Alliance -- The French offensive -- Campaigning in the low countries -- Adventures in Southern Germany -- Enter the duke of Berwick -- Year of miracles -- Over the seas to Spain -- Vexatious distractions -- France at bay -- Unattainable peace -- An end to a weary journey -- A balance of power -- Appendix 1: the main terms of the 1702 treaty of Grand Alliance -- Appendix 2: the main terms of the treaties of Utrecht, Baden and Rastadt, and Madrid (1713-15) -- Appendix 3: key military figures in the War of the Spanish Succession How the death of a childless monarch sparked a bloody conflict that raged across Europe and beyond. The War of the Spanish Succession, fought between 1701 and 1714 to decide who should inherit the Spanish throne, was a conflict on an unprecedented scale, stretching across most of western Europe, the high seas, and the Americas. Yet this major subject is not well known and little understood. James Falkner's absorbing new study fills that gap. In a clear and perceptive narrative, he describes and analyzes the complex political maneuvers and a series of military campaigns, which also involved the threat posed by Ottoman Turks in the east and Sweden and Russia in the north. Fighting took place not just in Europe but in the Americas and Canada, and on the high seas. All European powers, large and small, were involved—France, Spain, Great Britain, Holland, Austria and Portugal were the major players. The end result of over a decade of outright war was a French prince firmly established on the throne in Madrid and a division of the old Spanish empire. More notably though, French power, previously so dominant, was curbed for almost ninety years. The War of the Spanish Succession, fought between 1701 and 1714 to decide who should inherit the Spanish throne, was a conflict on an unprecedented scale, stretching across most of western Europe, the high seas and the Americas. Yet this major subject is not well known and is little understood. That is why the publication of James Falkner's absorbing new study is so timely and important. rn In a clear and perceptive narrative he describes and analyses the complex political manoeuvres and a series of military campaigns which also involved the threat posed by Ottoman Turks in the east and Sweden and Russia in the north. Fighting took place not just in Europe but in the Americas and Canada, and on the high seas. All European powers, large and small, were involved France, Spain, Great Britain, Holland, Austria and Portugal were the major players.rn The end result of eleven years of outright war was a French prince firmly established on the throne in Madrid and a division of the old Spanish empire. More notably though, French power, previously so dominant, was curbed for almost ninety years. [Elib] The War of the Spanish Succession, fought between 1701 and 1714 to decide who should inherit the Spanish throne, was a conflict on an unprecedented scale, stretching across most of western Europe, the high seas and the Americas. Yet this major subject is not well known and is little understood. That is why the publication of James Falkner’s absorbing new study is so timely and important. In a clear and perceptive narrative he describes and analyses the complex political maneuvers and a series of military campaigns which also involved the threat posed by Ottoman Turks in the east and Sweden and Russia in the north. Fighting took place not just in Europe but in the Americas and Canada, and on the high seas. All European powers, large and small, were involved – France, Spain, Great Britain, Holland, Austria and Portugal were the major players. The end result of eleven years of outright war was a French prince firmly established on the throne in Madrid and a division of the old Spanish empire. More notably though, French power, previously so dominant, was curbed for almost ninety years. Cover Title Page Copyright Page Contents List of Maps List of Illustrations Introduction Chronology Chapter 1: This is the King of Spain Chapter 2: The Grand Alliance Chapter 3: The French Offensive Chapter 4: Campaigning in the Low Countries Chapter 5: Adventures in Southern Germany Chapter 6: Enter the Duke of Berwick Chapter 7: Year of Miracles Chapter 8: Over the Seas to Spain Chapter 9: Vexatious Distractions Chapter 10: France at Bay Chapter 11: Unattainable Peace Chapter 12: An End to a Weary Journey Chapter 13: A Balance of Power Appendix 1: The Main Terms of the 1702 Treaty of Grand Alliance Appendix 2: The Main Terms of the Treaties of Utrecht, Baden and Rastadt, and Madrid (1713–1715) Appendix 3: Key Military Figures in the War of Spanish Succession Notes Bibliography Index Major new study of the war that shaped eighteenth-century Europe. The first comprehensive history of the war to be published for ninety years.