When was the peace of utrecht

The power of the memory of global conflict in the twentieth century and the availability of resources make it easier to commemorate events in the more recent past. Yet there is arguably something else at work here too. What we chose to remember and to forget says a great deal about our self-image and identity. Many of the European conferences and commemorations have emerged from projects involving a significant level of transnational cooperation and exchange, and a shared sense that the War of the Spanish Succession, and its ending, was part of a common European story that had a significant impact on both victors and losers alike.

For a country with an ambivalent relationship towards 'the continent', it is arguably easier to fashion a view of the past in which Britain stood alone against German attempts to dominate in the twentieth century, regardless of how misleading that might be. Sober analysis of Britain's position in suggests that it had benefitted from its interactions with the European mainland, in terms of enhanced security and influence, whilst simultaneously being able to reap the commercial advantages of overseas trade.

Smart politicians, such as William Pitt the Elder with his famous strategy of 'winning America in Germany', quickly came to appreciate that the choice was not between a European or an imperial strategy, but how best to combine the two.

Given the present debate about the content of the school history curriculum, it will be interesting to see whether the Peace of Utrecht features at all in the final version.

The current draft concludes key stage 2 with 'the Glorious Revolution, constitutional monarchy and the Union of the parliaments' and key stage 3 begins with 'Britain and her empire', with no specific mention of Utrecht.

British interaction with Europe in the eighteenth century is strangely absent: the Enlightenment is considered primarily as an English phenomenon and the draft's language suggests that international relations only feature when Europe once again became a 'problem' in the French Revolutionary and Napoleonic period. Like the absence of a proper national commemoration of Utrecht, an opportunity has been missed here: to reflect on the interrelationship of national, European and global stories about the past.

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Accessed 12 November Two peace treaties that in ended ongoing European conflicts following the War of the Spanish Succession. The first treaty, signed between France and Austria in the city of Rastatt, followed the earlier Treaty of Utrecht of , which ended hostilities between France and Spain on the one hand, and Britain and the Dutch Republic on the other hand.

The second treaty, signed in Baden, was required to end the hostilities between France and the Holy Roman Empire. After the Treaty of Hague was signed in , it went into a second phase as the Alliance of the War of Spanish Succession.

The Austrians, the Dutch, and English allies formally declared war against France and its allies in May The permission given by the Spanish government to other countries to sell people as slaves to the Spanish colonies, between and In British history, it usually refers to the contract between Spain and Great Britain created in that dealt with the supply of African slaves for the Spanish territories in the Americas.

He had reigned over a vast global empire and the question of who would succeed him had long troubled ministers in capitals throughout Europe. With Philip ruling in Spain, Louis XIV would secure great advantages for his dynasty, but some statesmen regarded a dominant House of Bourbon as a threat to European stability, jeopardizing the balance of power.

Extensively researched, this work remains a classic. Volume 14 covers the years to , but pp. England under Queen Anne. London: Longman, — Engaged and engaging, by a master of the field. Can be read with pleasure by general readers. Witty, astute, nostalgic view of the past.

Generous vindication of Bolingbroke by a Whig historian. Delightful, narrative skill. Nationalistic bias. Brilliant discussion of character and motives. Volume 3 covers the peace and the Protestant succession. British Diplomatic Instructions, — London: Royal Historical Society, Invaluable diplomatic instructions for the duke of Marlborough and Townshend — , Matthew Prior , , Viscount Bolingbroke , the bishop of Bristol and the earl of Strafford — , Matthew Prior — , and the duke of Shrewsbury — Feiling provides a detailed political study of the period, as does Salomon , although Salomon is far more difficult and not as readable.

Holmes concentrates on the interplay between Harley and Bolingbroke and its significance, as does MacLachlan MacLachlan , however, concentrates on why the Tories wanted to conclude a peace. Hill focuses on the importance of the preliminaries, and McKay underscores the policy differences about Savoy.

Dickinson emphasizes the political impact of the peace on English political life. Cobbett, William. New York: Johnson Reprint, Volume 7 covers — Particularly valuable are the articles of impeachment of those involved in the peace pp. Dickinson, H. Nuanced examination of the impact of peace on English political life based on a wide range of primary and secondary sources.

Feiling, Keith Grahame. A History of the Tory Party, — Oxford: Clarendon, A classic study of Tory political machinations highlighting the roles of Harley and Bolingbroke in the Utrecht negotiations. Hill, Brian W. Argues that Harley rather than Bolingbroke was chiefly responsible for the peace. Hill stresses that the preliminary peace agreements in were initiated by Harley. Holmes, Geoffrey. John, and the Death of the Tory Party. Edited by Geoffrey Holmes, — London: Macmillan, The two most adept politicians, Harley and Bolingbroke, engaged in an internecine quarrel that divided the party and paralyzed its leadership.

This contest reflected the larger division within the party itself over both domestic and foreign policy. House of Commons. Reports from Committees of the House of Commons. London: n. Includes the Report from the Committee of Secrecy, , and the grounds for the impeachment of Harley, Bolingbroke, the earl of Strafford, and Ormond that are based on public letters of the secretary of state pp. MacLachlan, A. In this essay the author attempts to explain the chain of causes that led the Tories to make peace and reassesses the roles of Harley and Bolingbroke.

McKay, Derek. Well argued. In contrast, the earl of Oxford Robert Harley hoped to rebuild the traditional alliance system. Importance of ministerial differences over foreign policy.

Salomon, Felix. Bolingbroke is a useful collection of letters in both the original and the translation of this brilliant secretary, while Bolingbroke attempts to justify the peace.

Dickinson is a very readable, objective view. In contrast, Biddle compares Bolingbroke and Harley, their temperaments and strategies. Hill , a biography of Harley, a manipulative politician, is a bit exculpatory. Nicholson and Turberville , a readable biography of the earl of Shrewsbury, who was important both as a statesman and as a diplomat, is a valuable and analytic study. Shrewsbury served as lord chamberlain in , but he refused to sign the preliminaries or serve as plenipotentiary at Utrecht.

He later served as ambassador extraordinary to France, where he negotiated a number of important issues. For additional information, see Tory Party. Biddle, Sheila. Bolingbroke and Harley. New York: Knopf, Well-drawn portrait of the two men and their conflicts.

The brilliant, impulsive zealot Bolingbroke and the more moderate, indecisive Harley. Bolingbroke, Henry St. John, Viscount. John, Lord Viscount Bolingbroke. Edited by Gilbert Parke. Robinson, An invaluable resource for the secretary of state who is traditionally thought to have been chiefly responsible for the peace.

When Bolingbroke fled Britain, these papers were left in the hands of his undersecretary, whose descendants passed them on to the editor. Public and private papers.

Introduction by George M. Admits flaws in Utrecht but argues that it was the best peace attainable. London: Constable, Biography of a brilliant political statesman but an individual with personal defects and political failings. Objective, balanced account of this controversial figure.

Nicholson, Thomas Cecil, and A. Charles Talbot, Duke of Shrewsbury. Nicely detailed and nuanced study but relies entirely on British sources.

Somerville, Dorothy H. Reprints letters explaining his refusal to sign preliminaries and his role in Paris. Herman is a thorough study of the earl of Strafford at Utrecht. Eves and Wickham Legg are readable biographies of Matthew Prior, a self-serving but talented poet and diplomat who played a critical role in Paris during the negotiations see also Medals.

Wickham Legg is the most critical account, while Eves is the most favorable and least convincing. Frey, et al. Eves, Charles Kenneth. Matthew Prior: Poet and Diplomatist. New York: Octagon, Exculpatory in tone, based on manuscript sources not available to previous biographers. Vivid re-creation of the time and Prior as both poet and diplomat. Favorable, sympathetic, overestimates his achievements.

Rule, eds. Columbus: Ohio State University Libraries, He emerges as a diligent, talented writer with a unique sense of humor. Hatton, Ragnhild. Anderson, 69— English agent dominated by self-interest who played a critical role in London in and and in Anglo-Dutch negotiations. Participated in the Utrecht negotiations concerning English trade in the southern Netherlands.

Herman, Mark C. Thorough use of British archival sources. Strafford, who was influenced by Harley, played a minor role in the settlement.

Wickham Legg, Leopold George. Based on British, French, and Dutch sources. Extensive quotations from primary sources. Not a flattering portrait. Scott includes a number of contemporary English pamphlets.

Wilson is a bit dated but still useful. The author analyzes the writings of Daniel Defoe, whom he sees as a Whig by conviction and a turncoat by practice. Ehrenpreis — remains the classic biography of Jonathan Swift. Hare and Hare offer a refutation of Swift.

Several publications of the time either attacked the barrier, such as T. Ehrenpreis, Irvin. Volume 2 focuses on to Definitive biography, diligently researched. Thorough, accurate, scholarly, comprehensive but flawed by psychological speculations and by the author downplaying the reality of political parties. Often subjective judgments. Sympathetic to Swift; ignores his deceit for political ends.

Hare, Francis. Baldwin, A lively refutation of Swift and his famous pamphlet. Munich: Fink, Analyzes the rhetorical features of the various poems, pamphlets, broadsides, essays, newspapers, and sermons published on the peace.

Poyntz, Stephen. The Barrier-Treaty Vindicated. Spirited defense of the treaty by the confidential secretary of Townshend, the Whig who drew up the barrier treaty. Scott, Sir Walter, ed. London: T. Cadell and W. Davies, Volume 13 contains a number of English pamphlets written at the time about the peace.

Swift, Jonathan. The Prose Works of Jonathan Swift. Edited by Herbert Davis. The critical edition. London: John Morphew, Attacks the idea that procuring an alliance with the Dutch will protect the Protestant succession. Wilson, Walter. Memoirs of the Life and Times of Daniel Defoe. London: Hurst, Chance, Affirms the treachery and dishonor of the peace.

Most of the rulers of the states of the Holy Roman Empire, with the exception of the Wittelsbachs electors who aligned with France, fought with the emperor. Trier and Lorraine were particularly vulnerable to French forces. The empire and the emperor, the Habsburg claimant to the Spanish throne, refused to sign the peace at Utrecht and decided to fight on. Vienna and Madrid did not reach an agreement until Prince Eugene of Savoy played a key role as both general and diplomat.

Charles VI is treated in Rill , a study based on secondary literature. Jarnut-Derbolav provides a specialized study of the Austrian representatives in London based on Czech and Austrian archives. Prince Eugene of Savoy, one of the greatest commanders of his age, also served as the negotiator at Rastatt. Arneth was written by an Austrian historian and archivist who based the work on Austrian archives. In this pioneering work that sets questions in an international context, Prince Eugene the man still proves illusive.

Braubach — is a classic and monumental account of Eugene by the Bonn historian Max Braubach. He has moved beyond the official sources to create a more personal and sympathetic portrait of this soldier. Arneth, Alfred. Prinz Eugen von Savoyen.

Vienna: Typogr. Wonderful battle maps, accessible to graduate students. Arneth has four chapters on the peace Volume 2, chapters 11— Depicts Prince Eugene as a multitalented man. Includes a useful chapter on Rastatt. Munich: R. Oldenbourg, — This classic work depicts one of the greatest commanders of his age. Devotes Volume 3, chapters 9—11, to the peace negotiations.

For the specialist who craves details. Jarnut-Derbolav, Elke. This balanced and informative account underscores the increasingly dominant role of Britain in the alliance. For additional information, see Preliminaries. Prince Eugene of Savoy. London: Thames and Hudson, This well-written biography underscores the vital role Eugene played in the reigns of three emperors.

Eugene is profiled as an austere, reserved individual who prided himself on his personal bravery, the value of his word, and an unblemished reputation. Accessible to undergraduates. The Hague: Guillaume de Voys, Rill, Bernd. Karl VI: Habsburg als barocke Grossmacht. Graz, Austria: Verlag Styria, For additional information, see Catalans.

Droysen — and Waddington — provide traditional readable surveys. Waddington — is a more readable and objective survey. Frey and Frey provides an accessible portrait of Frederick I in this revisionist study that emphasizes the gains Frederick secured in the West, such as recognition of the kingship, in contrast to the problematic nature of a commitment in the Northern War. Schaumburg provides a very detailed history of the efforts to acquire Moers and Guelders. Droysen, Johann Gustav.

Geschichte der preussischen Politik. Leipzig: Veit, — Volume 2 pp. Underscores that, in the change of regimes from Frederick to his son, Frederick William confronted two critical questions: acceptance of Utrecht, a settlement that his father had detested, and involvement in the Northern War. Frey, Linda, and Marsha Frey. New York: Columbia University Press, Characterizes Frederick I as a much stronger ruler than traditionally depicted who consistently sought to protect his kingdom, to safeguard Protestants, and to fulfill what he saw as a moral commitment to the Holy Roman Empire.

Schaumburg, E. Continued on pp. Archive-based history of negotiations to acquire these critical lands. Waddington, Albert. Histoire de Prusse. Paris: Plon Nourrit, — Volume 2 concentrates on the period — Extensive documentation.

Use of both primary and secondary sources. Clear, impartial, detailed, accessible to the general reader. Vivid portraits. Clumps notes at the beginning of the chapter, alas. Ennen includes the edited letters of Joseph Clemens of Cologne together with a learned introduction. Braubach underscores the role of Joseph Clemens from as an intermediary between Versailles and Vienna.

Jadin takes its material from the secret archives of the Vatican, the correspondence of Karg de Bebenbourg, who served as the chancellor of Joseph Clemens, with the papal secretary of state. Important diplomatic role of the elector of Cologne after Ennen, Leonard, ed. Jena, Germany: Friedrich Mauke, Provides a long introduction and an edition of letters pertaining to the archbishop of Cologne, the Wittelsbach ally of Louis XIV during the War of the Spanish Succession. Contemporary documents for the specialist.

Appropriate for graduate students. Jadin, Louis, ed. Rome: Institut Historique Belge de Rome, Bebenbourg sought papal support for the two Catholic electors, who had been placed under the ban of the empire, by invoking the dangers of Protestantism and arousing opposition to the United Provinces and Great Britain.

An engaged and engaging witness. Most of the empire, with the exception of the Wittelsbachs, sided with the Habsburgs during the war and continued the fight after Utrecht. The empire as a whole did not profit from the war. Braubach discusses the failure to recover Alsace and Lorraine.

Braubach analyzes the archbishop of Trier, a loyal friend of the Habsburgs and an enemy of France. The maritime powers had promised but were unable to protect his lands from French rapacity. Trier was involved in the discussions about creating a defensive barrier against France. Schnath , based on extensive archival research, examines the role of George, elector of Hanover and subsequently king of England.

Hatton is a revisionist, more positive view based on extensive research. The role of another, Johann Wilhelm von der Pfalz-Neuburg, is examined in Sante , which argues that his attempt to maintain a middle position between France and the Holy Roman Empire cost him the Upper Palatinate and the Bavarian electoral dignity.

Baumont provides a sympathetic portrayal of the duke of Lorraine, a courageous and very popular ruler whose lands covered an area that was strategically vulnerable and occupied by French troops despite its neutrality. Baumont, H. Paris: Berger-Levrault, Detailed, sophisticated argument about the inability to recover Alsace and Lorraine and the tragic consequences, namely, a search for security rather than a national commitment to fellow Germans that reinforced dynastic territorialism.

Only for specialists. Partially based on the papers of Johann Heinrich von Kaiserfeld, Trier representative at The Hague — , who sought military assistance and compensation for the French devastation. Granier, Gerhard. Detailed study of the German Reichstag. Section 6 focuses on the period from the fall of to the fall of Hatton, Ragnhild Marie. George I. Portrait of the elector who was politically astute and played an active role in fostering peace.

Not totally convincing. Definitive work but dense. Sante, George Wilhelm. Technical study. Schnath, Georg. Geschichte Hannovers im Zeitalter der neunten Kur und der englischen Sukzession. In this classic account, chapter 14 covers the peace negotiations in and George of Hanover played a key role in the war and opposed the Tory abandonment of the allies. Jean Dumont, an Austrian publicist, promotes Austrian aims in Dumont and subsequently attacks the peace in Dumont Written by a contemporary, Leibniz a attacks the Tory peace, arguing that a continuation of the war can favor only the imperial cause.

Dumont, Jean, Baron de Carlscroon. Attacks the Tory peace. Publicist for the imperial court castigates the British and critiques the Utrecht negotiations.

Fransen, Petronella. Purmerend, The Netherlands: J.