The Probert Encyclopaedia of General Information

TREATY OF UTRECHT

The Treaty of Utrecht (also known as the Peace of Utrecht) was a series of treaties concluded between France, Great Britain, Portugal, Prussia, Savoy and Holland in 1713 and 1715, which ended the War of the Spanish Succession, called in America 'Queen Anne's War'.

After a preliminary' agreement in London in 1711, a congress met at Utrecht in January, 1712. Great Britain, France, Savoy, Portugal, the Emperor, Prussia, and the Dutch Republic were represented, and later Spain. In March and April, 1713, the main treaties were signed. Others followed, that between Spain and Portugal being delayed until 1715.

France ceded Newfoundland, Acadia or Nova Scotia, the district around Hudson Bay, and St Kitt's to Great Britain, which had conquered them. From Spain Great Britain acquired Gibraltar and Minorca, as well as the monopoly of the slave trade with Spanish America, called the Asiento. Louis XIV recognized the Protestant succession, and promised to give no further aid to the Stuarts. Great Britain and France also concluded a commercial treaty.

The crown of Spain, with its American possessions, was given to the French claimant, Philip V. It was stipulated, however, that the same person should never be king of both France and Spain. Philip's Austrian rival, the emperor Charles, was consoled with Naples, Milan, Sardinia, and the Spanish, henceforward called the Austrian, Netherlands. All these had been Spanish. Prussia was recognized as a kingdom, and received part of Gelder-land, while France promised to secure the title of king for the duke of Savoy, who received Sicily.
The Treaty of Utrecht was bitterly denounced in England by the Whigs, and four of those responsible for it were impeached.
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