Spanish Succession War
Noel Suárez Barro
©
« Spanish Succession War »
1 / 7
The Tratamara Dynasty
The Catholic Monarchs (Reyes Católicos): Isabelle
from Castille (Isabel de Castilla) and Ferdinand from
Aragon (Fernando de Aragón), formed part of the
Trastamara Dynasty.
One of her daughters, Johana “the Mad” (Juana la
Loca), married Philip “the Handsome” (Felipe el
Hermoso). This is the beggining of the reign of the
Austrias in Spain, the Habsburgh Dynasty.
Isabel
Juana
Fernando
Felipe
The Habsburgh Dynasty
Charles the first from Spain or fifth of Germany (Carlos quinto de
Alemania o primero de España) was one of the sons of Johana and Philip.
In 1516 he united Spain and Austria becaming an Emperor of the
Holy Roman Empire. His territories extended through many parts of
Europe and was so similar to another ancient great emperor:
Charlemagne.
In 1556, Charles V abdicated his throne, and divided his Empire:
giving Austria and Germany to his brother Ferdinand, and Spain and
The Low Countries of Holland and Belgium to his son Philip II.
Carlos V
Noel Suárez Barro
©
« Spanish Succession War »
2 / 7
Under the reing of Philip II, Spain was rich and powerfull. Its armies were large and were
commanded by experieced military officers of Europe. The richest commerce of the world poured
into it's ports. A new intellectual live was aroused and all the
conditions seemed to indicate Spanish people were about to lead
Europe in the direction of a higher civilization.
Felipe II
In the 17th century the succession of the throne fell in Philip III, Philip IV
and Charles II. With them The Empire was led to economic damage and
Spain saw a gradual decline of power under an increasingly neglected and
inept Habsburgh Regime.
HABSBURGH DYNASTY (SPAIN)
Felipe III
Carlos V (Alemania)
Major Austrias
the power of Spain
increase
Felipe II
Felipe III
Minor Austrias
they lead Spain to
decline
Felipe IV
Carlos II
Felipe IV
The Succession Problem
Charles II “the Bewitched” (Carlos II el Hechizado) was the
last Habsburgh in Spain.
The product of their obsession about the pure blood, led
them to marry between members of their family
(endogamy), with the goal of conserve their clean lineage. The
inbreeding gave as a result weak descendants. Charles II was
called bewitched because he was always ill by the fault of his
insane genes.
A big problem arrived when Charles II died in 1700. He was
childless, so he have not descendant. So the Spanish throne
was empty. Who will be the king of the Spanish Empire ???
Noel Suárez Barro
©
« Spanish Succession War »
Carlos II
3 / 7
red circle : king of spain
Charles II was childless, but Spain cannot be kingless. So someone must be its new monarch.
But who will want to control Spain? That huge Empire where the sun never sets.
red area : spanish terrioties
Noel Suárez Barro
©
« Spanish Succession War »
4 / 7
Many Candidates
Everyone wanted to be the king of Spain. All the countries wanted to set their heir such as the
new Spanish monarch.
There were two good candidates to this position:
•
French King Louis XIV (the king sun) – who married his elder sister (Maria Theresa):
This would led to the annexation of Spain by France, two big empires.
•
Holy Roman Emperor Leopold I – who married his other sister (Maria Anna):
This would mean the returning of the powerfull Spanish-Austrian Habsburg Empire.
Who deserve the position? They had the same rights: What would Charles II say?
Charles II, had written in his
testament he want his grand
nephew The Duke of Anjou
Philip V (Felipe V el Duque de
Anjou), to be his successor. He
was a Bourbon, and the
grandson of Louis XIV of
France.
But the other European
Powers didn't want Spain and
France to be united, because
these two powerfull kingdoms
will became a huge empire.
This, from their point of view,
will threat the ballance of power in Europe.
red : kings of spain
green : possible candidates
blue : charle's wish
So the Succession War started in the year 1701:
Europe split apart into two big groups:
•
The Grand Alliance:
Austria, England, Sweden and Dutch Republic.
They supported Archduke Charles VI.
•
The Two Crowns:
Spain and France. They supported Duke of Anjou.
Finally, all them accept the Will of Charles II.
Luis XIV
Noel Suárez Barro
Leopoldo I
Duque de Anjou (Felipe V)
©
« Spanish Succession War »
5 / 7
Treaties
The war was finally ended in the year 1715 with the treaties of Utrecht and Rastatt.
The results of the Treaty of Utrecht were:
– Britain > Gibraltar, Menorca and two French Colonies.
– Austrian Habsburgh > The Netherlands, Milan, Naple and Sicily.
– Spain > keeps the American lands.
– France > Philip V will be king of Spain.
So finally, peace and balance had arrived Europe since 14 years.
https://youtu.be/RyW2Tc4x91I
Noel Suárez Barro
©
« Spanish Succession War »
6 / 7
Bourbon Dynasty
When all was over: after the War of Succession and the Treaty of Utrecht, Philip V (the Duke of
Anjou) started ruling Spain. He was the first Bourbon in Spain.
The Bourbon dynasty continued till nowadays. Our current king is called Felipe VI, son of Juan
Carlos I. They belong to this royal house.
Noel Suárez Barro
©
« Spanish Succession War »
7 / 7