The ascendancy of France, 1598-1715

Name: The ascendancy of France, 1598-1715
Author: Wakeman, Henry Offley

Wakeman, Henry Offley

Europe -- History -- 17th century

But it was not to be. The traditions of France lay in the direction of
military conquest not of commercial supremacy. With an army carefully
trained and organised by Louvois, with generals at his command like
Turenne, Condé and Vauban, with all the traditions of the French
monarchy behind him, with all the longing for glory within him, which
was the very atmosphere he breathed, with his intimate knowledge of
European courts to assist him, what wonder is it that Louis determined
on the course which seemed to combine the certainty of success with the
maximum of glory? There was no nation in Europe that could resist him.
A combination of nations was alone to be feared, and what combination
could long resist the disintegrating effects of his diplomacy and
their own selfishness? What league had ever been a military success?
The resources of France seemed inexhaustible, her armies invincible,
her genius irresistible. In the distance but not so very far removed
from practical politics must come some day the great question of the
succession to the crown of Spain. When that question was ripe for
solution France must be in a position to solve it. Impelled alike by
the foresight of a statesman, the ambition of a king, and the flattery
of a court, Louis took the fatal step and plunged his country into a
century and a half of incessant war. With singular ease he had made
himself master of France, he now determined to be master of Europe too.




                               CHAPTER X

                  LOUIS XIV. AND THE UNITED PROVINCES

 Humiliation of Spain and the Pope--Purchase of Dunkirk--The war
 of devolution--Alarm of Europe--Opposition of the Dutch--The
 Triple Alliance--The treaty of Aix-la-Chapelle--Overthrow of
 the Triple Alliance--Origin of the United Provinces--Their
 constitution--Supremacy of the burghers--Unique position of
 Holland--The House of Orange--Prosperity of the Dutch--Rivalry
 between the republicans and the House of Orange--John Olden
 Barneveldt--Attempted revolution of William II.--Supremacy
 of the republican party--Character and policy of John de Witt--War
 with England--The Act of Navigation--The Act of Exclusion--Second war
 with England--The treaty of Breda--Danger from France--The perpetual
 edict--Popular movement in favour of William III.--Murder of
 de Witt.


[Sidenote: =Humiliation of Spain by Louis, 1661.=]

Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.

Opening the text

The ascendancy of France, 1598-1715Wakeman, Henry Offley

History

The ascendancy of France, 1598-1715

Wakeman, Henry Offley

Europe -- History -- 17th century

But it was not to be. The traditions of France lay in the direction of
military conquest not of commercial supremacy. With an army carefully
trained and organised by Louvois, with generals at his command like
Turenne, Condé and Vauban, with all the traditions of the French
monarchy behind him, with all the longing for glory within him, which
was the very atmosphere he breathed, with his intimate knowledge of
European courts to assist him, what wonder is it that Louis determined
on the course which seemed to combine the certainty of success with the
maximum of glory? There was no nation in Europe that could resist him.
A combination of nations was alone to be feared, and what combination
could long resist the disintegrating effects of his diplomacy and
their own selfishness? What league had ever been a military success?
The resources of France seemed inexhaustible, her armies invincible,
her genius irresistible. In the distance but not so very far removed
from practical politics must come some day the great question of the
succession to the crown of Spain. When that question was ripe for
solution France must be in a position to solve it. Impelled alike by
the foresight of a statesman, the ambition of a king, and the flattery
of a court, Louis took the fatal step and plunged his country into a
century and a half of incessant war. With singular ease he had made
himself master of France, he now determined to be master of Europe too.




                               CHAPTER X

                  LOUIS XIV. AND THE UNITED PROVINCES

 Humiliation of Spain and the Pope--Purchase of Dunkirk--The war
 of devolution--Alarm of Europe--Opposition of the Dutch--The
 Triple Alliance--The treaty of Aix-la-Chapelle--Overthrow of
 the Triple Alliance--Origin of the United Provinces--Their
 constitution--Supremacy of the burghers--Unique position of
 Holland--The House of Orange--Prosperity of the Dutch--Rivalry
 between the republicans and the House of Orange--John Olden
 Barneveldt--Attempted revolution of William II.--Supremacy
 of the republican party--Character and policy of John de Witt--War
 with England--The Act of Navigation--The Act of Exclusion--Second war
 with England--The treaty of Breda--Danger from France--The perpetual
 edict--Popular movement in favour of William III.--Murder of
 de Witt.


[Sidenote: =Humiliation of Spain by Louis, 1661.=]

Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.

The ascendancy of France, 1598-1715

The ascendancy of France, 1598-1715

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