War of the Spanish Succession

Introduction
Dynastic claims
Strategy of the war
The course of the war
- 1701: The Emperor and Louis XIV begin hostilities
- 1702: The war becomes general
- 1703: The tide of the war turns in favour of the French
- 1704: The French threat to Vienna is checked
- 1705: Stalemate
- 1705–06: The war turns against France and the opening of peace negotiations
- 1707: The imperial and Maritime Powers suffer reverses
- 1708–09: Continued Allied successes and the third round of peace negotiations
- Late 1709: The resumption of hostilities
- 1710: The fourth round of peace negotiations
- 1710–11: France gains the initiative
- 1711–13: Effective peace negotiations and the end of the War of the Spanish Succession
The Treaties of Utrecht

References & Edit History Quick Facts & Related Topics

Images

Illustration of the Battle of Blenheim showing cavalry and infantry in combat, fallen soldiers, and smoke rising from cannon fire across a hilly battlefield.

A genealogical chart showing the family tree of Philip II of Spain and Margaret of Inner Austria, mapping their descendants and connections relevant to the Spanish Succession, with names, dates, and marital links.

John Closterman: portrait of John Churchill, 1st duke of Marlborough

War of the Spanish Succession; John Churchill, 1st duke of Marlborough

Bronze equestrian statue of Eugene of Savoy in Vienna, showing him in military attire riding a rearing horse against a clear sky.

Black and white historical map of south-central Europe during the War of the Spanish Succession, showing the boundaries of the Holy Roman Empire and other regional borders. Key locations such as Switzerland, Savoy, Venice, and various cities and passes are labeled throughout the region.

Louis-Joseph, duc de Vendôme

Louis-François, duc de Boufflers

At a Glance

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War of the Spanish Succession summary

Related Questions

Illustration of the Battle of Blenheim showing cavalry and infantry in combat, fallen soldiers, and smoke rising from cannon fire across a hilly battlefield. — Battle of Blenheim; War of the Spanish Succession The Battle of Blenheim (August 13, 1704), was the most famous victory of John Churchill, duke of Marlborough, and Eugene of Savoy during the War of the Spanish Succession.

War of the Spanish Succession

European history

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Britannica Editors

Last updated

Oct. 9, 2026 •History

War of the Spanish Succession, (1701–14), conflict that arose out of the disputed succession to the throne of Spain following the death of the childless Charles II, the last of the Spanish Habsburgs. The war was primarily a struggle to determine whether the vast possessions of the Spanish Empire should pass to the House of Bourbon or to the House of Habsburg, both of which had dynastic claims, or whether they should be partitioned to...

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