The War of Spanish Succession, 1701-1714

After the death of Charles II, the last Spanish Habsburg, a war broke out between France and the Austrian Habsburgs over the vacant Spanish throne. It was waged in many parts of Europe with various alliances. It resulted in the division of the Spanish inheritance: while Philip V retained Spain and the overseas colonies, the Spanish Netherlands, the Kingdom of Naples with Sicily as well as Milan, Mantua and Sardinia were granted to the Habsburgs.