EUROPE AFTER THE TREATY OF UTRECHT

Map Classification:
The name of the map is Europe after the Treaty of Utrecht and it shows the territorial
changes that took place in Europe at the end of the Spanish War of Succession, made in the
Treaty of Utrecht (1714).

Map Analysis
Looking at the key of the map we can see, in different colours, the territories that were ceded
by Spain to others European powers, as follow:
-

To Austria (green): Spain ceded the territories in Northern Europe (Flanders and
Luxembourg), and also its territories in Italy (Milan, Naples and Sardinia).
To Savoy (brown): Spain ceded the Italian island of Sicily and some territories in the
North of Italy.
To Greta Britain (red): Spain ceded Gibraltar and the Mediterranean island of
Menorca.
Spain (orange) was reduced to the territories in the Iberian Peninsula and the colonies
in America.

Comment/Historical context:
At the end of the 16th century, Spain was under the Habsburg dynasty. The last king of the
House of Austria, Charles II, died childless. Before his death, he tried to appoint a successor for
the kingdom among other European courts, like Joseph Ferdinand of Bavaria, the Archduke
Charles of Austria and the French Prince Philip of Bourbon. The last one was finally appointed
as his heir. In 1700, after the death of Charles II, Philip was proclaimed King of Spain as Philip
V.
Some of the great European powers were opposed to this election, since it meant a
strengthening of the Bourbons in Europe (France and Spain).
Britain, the Netherlands, Portugal and the Austrian Empire declared the war on France and
Spain. They wanted the Archduke Charles of Austria to take the throne. It was thought that the
union of France and Spain under one ruler would upset the balance of power in Europe. These
events started the War of Succession in 1701.
Meanwhile, there was also a civil war in Spain. Castile supported Philip but the Crown of
Aragon wanted Charles of Austria to be king.
The long war had exhausted both sides. In 1713 the Treaty of Utrecht-Rastatt was signed and
ended the War of the Spanish Succesion.:
-

The opposing countries recognised Philip V of Spain as king, but he had to renounce his
rights to the French throne.
Spain lost its European possessions and ceded them to other powers:
o Gibraltar and Minorca were given to Great Britain.
o Naples, Sardinia, Milan, the State of Presidi (on the Tuscan coast) and the Low
Countries were given to Austria.
o Sicily was given to Savoy (in 1720 Savoy and Austria exchanged Sicily and
Sardinia).
o Great Britain also obtained the concession to trade and to the slave-trading
contract (Asiento contract) in the Spanish Indies.

Conclusion:
The change of dynasty in Spain led to the dismantling of the Spanish Empire in Europe. The
new European powers took control over the former Spanish territories. Great Britain did not
get major territories, but was the most benefited economically (obtaining the concession to
trade with the Spanish Indies and the slave-trading contract).
This new territorial situation will last for over a century. At the end of the 18th century, the
French Revolution will shake the foundations of Europe.