Comparing The War Of Spanish Succession And The American Revolution

During the early 18th century, European governments were experiencing significant changes and challenges to the government structure and authority. A crisis in government led in some instances to revolution within the country, and in other instances led to a war with other nations. The differences can be examined by a look at the War of Spanish Succession and the American Revolution. The War of Spanish Succession resulted from a crisis in government when King Charles II died and left no heir. Various relatives from France, Austria, Britain and the Netherlands claimed a right to the throne. French Bourbon King Louis XIV installed his grandson, Philip of Anjou, as the Spanish king in 1700, resulting in the other claimants starting a war

He had no children or other close relatives to succeed him as ruler of Spain. With the succession unresolved, on November 16, 1700, King Louis XIV of France declared his grandson, Phillip the Duke of Anjou, to be the new King of Spain. England and the Dutch failed to recognize Phillip as the Spanish king. Two years later, England, the emperor of Austria, Leopold I, and the Dutch Republic declared war on France and Duke Anjou to dispute his rightful claim, and to lay claim for themselves to the Spanish kingdom. Leopold I sought to establish his younger son, Archduke Charles, on the Spanish throne, claiming his right as a relative of the Habsburg family through his mother. Philip also has a connection to the Habsburg family through his grandmother. Both laid claims to the Spanish throne on this basis. The Spaniards, wanted the King to reside in Spain, and attempts to govern Spain from afar would result in revolution. Many Spanish nobles accepted Philip and his claim, believing that Louis XIV would protect Spain with his grandson as

Louis and Philip sought to gain favor with the Spaniards, and began making cooperation agreements. They took steps to remove English and Dutch merchant from lucrative Spanish interests, and replace them with French merchants. French threats to English and Dutch economic and territorial interests, including within the Netherlands, led to further conflicts over Spanish interests. England sought to secure its trade interests with Spain and prevent French intrusion into the Netherlands. William also sought some assistance for Leopold regarding Italy, which was under French rule at the time. Negotiations about these issues never resulted in any agreement, and England went to war in support of the Austrian