Bourbon Powers

The term Bourbon Powers refers to the kingdoms of France and Spain under the rule of monarchs from the House of Bourbon .

France has been ruled by the Bourbons since Henry IV's accession to the throne in 1589, Spain since Philip V's accession to the throne in 1700. Both became king due to succession regulations, but initially had to enforce this inheritance in wars.

Other Bourbon states (with rulers from the Spanish line) were the kingdoms of Naples - Sicily (since 1735) and the Duchy of Parma (since 1748).

The states had been allied since 1733 through the conclusion of a so-called Bourbon House Treaty . Spain then supported France in the War of the Polish Succession , the War of the Austrian Succession , the Seven Years War and the American War of Independence .

The rule of the French Bourbons finally ended with the July Revolution of 1830 ; Spain, on the other hand, now has (again) a king from the House of Bourbon.

literature

• Heinz Duchhardt : '"Balance of Power" and Pentarchy'. International Relations 1700–1785 (Handbook of the History of International Relations; Vol. 4). Schöningh, Paderborn 1997, ISBN 3-506-73724-4 .