Outbreak of Nine Years War Flashcards
1
Q
Outbreak of Nine Years War:
Date
A
1688-97
2
Q
Outbreak of Nine Years War:
Summary
A
Was fought between the League of Augsburg, led by Holland, England, Spain and the Holy Roman Empire and France under Louis XIV.
William, as head of state in both Holland and Britain, spent a total of 6 years on campaign, making key strategic decisions himself.
- Ensured that France was not able to dominate, and that balance was restored to, European politics.
- Complete transformation in British foreign policy done by monarchs’ wishes and NOT Parliament.
3
Q
Outbreak of Nine Years War:
Significance
A
Meant that Catholics had little to fear from William:
- He had effectively guaranteed their safety by entering into an alliance with a number of Catholic powers against the French in the League of Augsburg.
War caused strain between William and Parliament:
- Huge sums demanded to fund the war had never been approved by parliament before.
- Average annual expenditure = just over £5.4 million
- After 1691, Parliament favoured a reduction in William’s participation and only voted him funding for 10,000 troops.
- In 1695, William succeeded in recruiting 68,000 men at a cost of £2.8 million though borrowing, via the Bank of England.
- Due to Britain’s bankruptcy in 1697, William was facing increasing opposition from the Tories and non-Junto Whigs in Parliament.
- By the end of the war, gov. debt stood at approx. £17 million.
- Also opposition due to impact on trade, his use of foreign commanders and his poor performances.
- In the face of opposition from parliament, William took many key decisions himself, such as the placement of troops and negotiations with other states.
