B18

__ Peace of Utrecht 1713 __ During the 1700’s, The Peace of Utrecht was a major effort to restrain conflict, and was the end to a major expansion under Louis XIV. It represented the balance-of-power principle in operation, setting limits to how far France could expand. The treaty declined Spain as a great power, and also expanded the British Empire. Even though many things occurred, the biggest consequence of this treaty was the end of the War of Spanish Succession. Louis’ grandson Philip remained the first Bourbon king of Spain on the understanding that the French and Spanish crowns would never be united. This marked the end of Louis’ thirty-five-year quest for military glory, and a war that had exhausted France almost to the point of bankruptcy.