I need a European History buff to make sure I covered all of the important ground for the following question:
"What was the result of Charles II Hapsburg's accession to the throne of Spain - what events transpired because of his infirmities? How did the War of Spanish Succession illustrate the new post-Westphalia foreign policy ideal?"
Results of Charles II’s Accession to Spanish Throne
1. Charles II was the “mentally and physically feeble” ruler of Spain from 1665-1700.
2. The reign of Charles II was agonizingly painful for the people of Spain. The economy was sluggish, there was widespread hunger, and the monarchy’s power over Spanish provinces became extremely weak. He was often ignored and the power during his reign often became the subject of various schemes and foreign (especially French) influence.
3. The decline of Spanish power and prestige accelerated under Charles II. This can largely be attributed to the reasons outlined above.
4. His death and appointment of a grandson of Louis XIV as his successor led to the War of Spanish Succession. With his death, the Spanish Hapsburg dynasty died with him. He named a grand nephew of his first wife, Philip, who was also a grandson of Louis XIV of France to be the successor upon his death. The French Bourbon’s inheritance of the Spanish throne provoked the War of Spanish Succession.
The War of Spanish Succession
1. The War of Spanish Succession marks the rise of the Balance of Power as the prevailing issue in European wars instead of religion. This was an essential and drastic change. After the Peace of Westphalia, the issue of religion dissipated as causation for wars in Europe. Now, opposing sides fought to preserve the Balance of Power – a “just equilibrium” between nations in order to prevent any one nation from becoming strong enough to enable it to enforce its will upon the rest.
2. The War of Spanish Succession pitted a coalition led by William III against France in order to preserve the Balance of Power. By gaining control of the Spanish throne, the Balance of Power in Europe would be drastically upset by the French. The French lost a number of major battles and as a result had to accept unfavorable terms in the Peace of Utrecht.
3. The Peace of Utrecht of 1713-1714 recognized Philip as the King of Spain, but barred the unification of the two kingdoms. Philip had to renounce his place in the French line of succession to ensure that, although Spain now had a Bourbon king, he could not unify Spain with the French throne. The new essential concept of the Balance of Power was first mentioned in the Peace of Utrecht.