A History Of Europe, Key Battles

The French king from 1774, Louis XVI, was poorly equipped for the role of national leader at a difficult time. His tragedy was that he had good intentions and a strong sense of responsibility. But he was shy and awkward and lacked the required political skills and charisma. Decades of failure for the French in foreign and domestic affairs, resulted in a profound crisis of legitimacy for the monarchy, resulting in the famous revolution of 1789www.patreon.com/historyeuropewww.historyeurope.netMusic from Hector Berlioz (Symphonie Fantastique), courtesy of www.musopen.orgPicture - Jean-Pierre Houël - The storming of the Bastille, July 14, 1789 See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

The Origins of the French Revolutionary Wars can be dated to 17th August 1787, when in Constantinople the Ottomans arrested the Russian ambassador Count Bulgakov in the Topkapi palace, and declared war on St Petersburg. Catherine the Great had deliberately provoked the Turks and now dragged in the reluctant Austrians into the war. The Austrian Emperor was Joseph II, the archetypal enlightened despot, who worked hard to reform his empire but from the top down. His reforms provoked the so-called Brabantine Revolution 1789-90 in the Netherlands which was similar in some ways to the contemporary French Revolution. www.patreon.com/historyeuropewww.historyeurope.netMusic from Joseph Haydn (Symphony 94, 'Surpise'), Christoph Gluck (the opera 'Iphigenie En Tauride') and Mozart (the Turkish March), courtesy of www.musopen.orgPicture - January Suchodolski - the Siege of Ochakov 1788 See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

In the last years of the 19th century the continent of Europe was turned on its head. France erupted into revolution in the middle of what was already a volatile situation, with various tensions between the Great Powers (Great Britain, Prussia, Russia, Austria, Ottomans as well as France). The storming of the Bastille is an iconic moment, not just for French, but world history. It came at a time when French prestige was in decline and her foreign policy seemed adrift. The French support of the British colonies in America helped them gain independence but did little for France herself. Meanwhile the Austrian Empire faced its own challenges, led by Joseph I after the death of Maria Theresa, and the Dutch Republic also appeared on the verge of revolthttps://www.patreon.com/historyeuropewww.historyeurope.netMusic from Hector Berlioz (Symphonie Fantastique) and Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (Serenade in G Major or Eine Kleine Nachtmusik), courtesy of www.musopen.orgPicture - Jacques Bertaux_-_Prise du palais desTuilerie

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Russo-Turkish War 1768-74, Catherine the Greatwww.historyeurope.net See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Seven Years War 1756-1763, Part 2www.historyeurope.netMusic composed by Joseph Haydn, courtesy of musopen.org  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Seven Years War 1756-63, Part 1Pictured - Frederick the Greatwww.historyeurope.netMusic - Joseph Haydn, Symphony 49 'The Passion', courtesy of www.musopen.org See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

War of Austrian Succession ConcludesPictured - Battle of Fontenoywww.historyeurope.netMusic - Winter by Antonio Vivaldi, courtesy of musopen.org See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Prussian Invasion of Habsburg Silesia by Frederick the GreatPictured - Maria Theresa - ruler of the Habsburg dominionswww.historyeurope.netMusic composed by Domenico Scarlatti, courtesy of musopen.org See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Background to the War of Austrian Succession 1740-48War of Polish Succession 1733–35, Russo-Turkish War 1735–1739, War of Jenkins Ear 1739-1748Pictured - Augustus II the Strong,  Elector of Saxony and King of Poland and Grand Duke of Lithuania until his death in 1733, which triggered the War of Polish SuccessionMusic composed by Antonio Vivaldi - Concerto for Bassoon in A minor, Concerto 11 in c minor, courtesy of musopen.org www.historyeurope.net See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Introduction to the War of Austrian Succession 1740-1748; the rise of Prussia and beginning of the European Enlightenment. Pictured - Frederick William I, the king in Prussia and elector of Brandenburg (reigned 1713-40), known as the "Soldier King" for building up the military of his state.Music composed by Georg Philipp Telemann, courtesy of musopen.orgwww.historyeurope.net See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

The armies of Peter the Great and Charles of Sweden fight the Battle of Poltava 1709. The Great Northern War 1700-1721 afterwards continues for a number of years, notably the Battle of the River Prut 1711, where the Russians confront the Ottomans.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Charles XII of Sweden launches an audacious campaign towards Moscow through Poland, linking up with the Cossack leader Ivan Mazepa (pictured)www.patreon.com/historyeurope  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

The Great Northern War - Charles XII, the young new king of Sweden, defends himself from attacks from his neighbours Russia, Denmark and Polandwww.patreon.com/historyeurope  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

The conquest of Siberia, split in the Russian Orthodox Church between new and old believers, uprising of Stenka Razin, conquest of Azov near the Black Sea, and early years of Peter the Great (pictured)  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

The French army of Louis XIV was on the ropes, but fought hard against the British, Dutch, Austrians and Prussians at the Battle of Malplaquet 1709. Peace was finally agreed in with the Treaties of Utrecht 1713 and Rastadt 1714, establishing a new balance of power on the continent.Composer - George Friedrich Handel, Water Musicwww.historyeurope.net  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

War of Spanish Succession - Heavy fighting across Western Europe, including in Italy and the Iberian peninsula between troops loyal to Philip V and the French on the one side and Austrians, Dutch and British on the other. Meanwhile the Duke of Marlborough leads the British and their allies against the French at the battles of Ramillies and OudenaardeMusic: composer Giuseppe Torelli, Tumpet Concerto in D 'Estienne Roger - 1. Allegro moderatowww.historyeurope.net  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

The Battle of Blenheim was a major turning point in the War of the Spanish Succession. A British and Allied army, led by the Earl of Marlborough, marched rapidly southwards from the Netherlands to confront a Franco-Bavarian armywww.patreon.com/historyeuropeMusic composed by Jean-Philippe Rameau Intro music by Nico Vettese (wetalkofdreams.com)  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Carlos II, the King of Spain, was dying. He had become king at the age of four in 1665 and throughout his life had suffered appalling physical ill-health. As the only surviving son of Philip IV of Spain and with expectations low that he would produce a heir, the question of succession was for a long time prominent in European politics. War indeed erupted in 1701 on his deathwww.patreon.com/historyeurope  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

The Nine Years' War (1688–1697) was a conflict between France and a European coalition which included the Holy Roman Empire, the Dutch Republic, England, Spain, Savoy and Portugal. It was fought in Europe and the surrounding seas, in North America, and in India. The war encompassed the Williamite war in Ireland and Jacobite risings in Scotland, where William III and James II struggled for control of England and Ireland www.patreon.com/historyeuropeMusic composed by Louis de Caix d'HerveloisIntro music by Nico Vettese (wetalkofdreams.com)  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.