Spanish Succession – Key Problem of the European Policy in the Second Half of the 17th Century

Abstract

The article deals with the problem of the Spanish succession which entered the European policy after Charles II sat on the Spanish throne in 1665. It was series of diplomatic negotiations and occasional armed conflicts mainly between France and Austria.

French king Louis XIV and Emperor Leopold I were related to Charles II and both of them rose their claims to the Spanish succession. Except these two countries there were England, German states and the Netherlands that took part in the conflict.

Keywords

• European history
• 17th century
• Spain
• France
• Austria
• Louis XIV
• Leopold I
• Charles II
• Spanish succession