The war of the Spanish succession: Causes and consequences

Résumé du document

The War of the Spanish Succession (1701-1714) was a major conflict leading to the end of French supremacy on the European continent. For the first time, the armies of the Sun King, Louis XIV, lost their reputation of invincibility. The purpose of this essay is to provide an extensive analysis of the causes and consequences of the War of the Spanish Succession, mainly focused on France but also on the other European countries involved in the conflict. We will also try to analyze the reasons for several French failures on military terrain, on a strategic and tactical scale. The first part will be devoted to the causes of the war, mainly focused on the strategic interests of each belligerent. In the second part, I will analyze the French failures on a strategic and military scale. Lastly, the third part will be focused on the consequences of this major war for France and the other countries involved.

Extraits

[...] Nevertheless, the Sun King decided to accept the will and its consequences. His grandson became Philip King of Spain. In the war that was about to break, he could only count on few allies: Spain of course, Cologne, Savoy, Portugal and Bavaria, even if this country had also claims on the Spanish throne. In fact, he realized that he would have to fight Austria in all the situations, as the Archduke Charles didn't accept the Treaty of London. Accepting the will would thus be more beneficial for him. [...]

[...] This was the single French success with its Bavarian alliance, mainly caused by surprise. But right after this success, the French were unable to take advantage of the situation. Indeed, with Bavaria on its side, France could be able to launch a major offensive against Vienna, and even possibly to take the Imperial capital. Nevertheless, France never succeeded to take the city, for several reasons. This may have be the turning point of the war Above all, the strategic timidity of the Elector of Bavaria prevented any plan for a march on Vienna in 1702, when the chances of success were high given the unexpected alliance between the Sun King and the Elector. [...]

[...] To counter this predictable plan, the Coalition elaborated two manoeuvres. Marlborough led the English and Dutch forces southward to Germany; Eugene, meanwhile, moved northward from Italy with the Austrian army. Having met, the forces under Marlborough and Eugene faced the French under the Tallard at the Battle of Blenheim, in Bavaria. In the Low Countries, Villeroi didn't pursue Malborough and stayed in the area. Blenheim was an important defeat for France and Bavaria. Bavaria was knocked out of the war and France lost one of its two major allies. [...]

[...] It was supposed that the first fire was the most deadly and efficient. That was indeed true and this tactic could be very appropriate, as we see it with this example of the battle of Calciante, in Spain. "At the Battle of Calciante (April 19th, 1706), Monsieur de Renventlau, who commanded the Imperial army, had ranged his infantry on a plateau and had ordered them to allow the French infantry to approach to twenty paces, hoping to destroy them with a general discharge. [...]

[...] In case if would be the only Bourbon male remaining, he could succeed the Sun King. The coalition he had to face was composed of the Kingdom of England, the Republic of the United Provinces, the Austrian Empire, the Holy Roman Empire, and the Duchy of Savoy. England fought mainly to maintain a balance of power on the continent, even if the other English concern was that, despite his engagement, Louis XIV recognized the son of James II, catholic, as the King of England. [...]