Austrian Netherlands

Quick Facts: Who was Austrian Netherlands?

Subject:

Austrian Netherlands

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A historical territory of the Holy Roman Empire, governed by the Austrian Habsburgs (1714–1797).

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2Day Chrono-Wiki & Primary Historical Archives

Origins & Early Life

The Austrian Netherlands were the territory of the Burgundian Circle of the Holy Roman Empire between 1714 and 1797. The period began with the acquisition by the Austrian Habsburg monarchy of the former Spanish Netherlands under the Treaty of Rastatt in 1714. It lasted until Revolutionary France annexed the territory after the Battle of Sprimont in 1794 and the Peace of Basel in 1795. Austria relinquished its claim on the province in 1797 through the Treaty of Campo Formio. The Netherlands, previously the Burgundian Netherlands – inherited by the Spanish branch of the Habsburgs – revolted against the absolutism and centralism of their common sovereign Philip II of Spain.

Pivotal Works & Achievements

The revolt launched into a war and this led to the formation of the Republic of the United Provinces in the northern part of the Netherlands, in 1568. The new state would have its independence recognized by the King of Spain in 1648, following the Treaty of Münster. In the southern part of the Netherlands, Philip II and his successors managed to retain ten provinces of the original seventeen provinces as part of a diminished Spanish Netherlands. In 1700, King Charles II of Spain designated the French Prince Philip of Anjou, grandson of Louis XIV, as his successor. He preferred him to a member of the cousin branch of the Austrian Habsburgs.

Enduring Legacy & Impact

Louis XIV accepted this choice on behalf of his wife, whose dowry had never been paid. A coalition was formed between the Austrian Habsburgs, England, and the United Provinces against Louis XIV's France and Philip V's Spain. This marked the beginning of the War of the Spanish Succession (1701–1714), during which the Spanish Netherlands were occupied by France on behalf of Louis XIV's grandson. At the end of this war (Treaties of Utrecht in 1713 and Rastatt in 1714), the Kingdom of Spain remained in the hands of Philip V. However, he had to relinquish the Spanish Netherlands, which were transferred to the House of Austria, constituting a sort of buffer state between the United Provinces and France. The Treaty of the Barrier (1715) granted the United Provinces the right to garrison certain strongholds in the Austrian Netherlands.

Chronological Milestones & Life Events

1. 1568: 1568 Milestone — The revolt launched into a war and this led to the formation of the Republic of the United Provinces in the northern part of the Netherlands, in 1568.
2. 1648: 1648 Milestone — The new state would have its independence recognized by the King of Spain in 1648, following the Treaty of Münster.
3. 1700: 1700 Milestone — In 1700, King Charles II of Spain designated the French Prince Philip of Anjou, grandson of Louis XIV, as his successor.
4. 1701: 1701 Milestone — This marked the beginning of the War of the Spanish Succession (1701–1714), during which the Spanish Netherlands were occupied by France on behalf of Louis XIV's grandson.
5. 1713: 1713 Milestone — At the end of this war (Treaties of Utrecht in 1713 and Rastatt in 1714), the Kingdom of Spain remained in the hands of Philip V.
6. 1714: 1714 Milestone — The Austrian Netherlands were the territory of the Burgundian Circle of the Holy Roman Empire between 1714 and 1797.
7. 1715: 1715 Milestone — The Treaty of the Barrier (1715) granted the United Provinces the right to garrison certain strongholds in the Austrian Netherlands.
8. 1794: 1794 Milestone — It lasted until Revolutionary France annexed the territory after the Battle of Sprimont in 1794 and the Peace of Basel in 1795.
9. 1797: 1797 Milestone — Austria relinquished its claim on the province in 1797 through the Treaty of Campo Formio.

Historical Fact-Check Quiz: Austrian Netherlands

True or False: “The initial revolt in the Netherlands against Philip II of Spain led directly to the formation of the Republic of the United Provinces.”

Answer (TRUE ⭕): The revolt began in 1566 and escalated into a war that ultimately resulted in the recognition of the independent Dutch Republic by Spain in 1648.

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Frequently Asked Questions about Austrian Netherlands