HIS102Y1 Lecture Notes - Lecture 9: Charles Vi, Holy Roman Emperor, Rastatt, Pyrrhic Victory
Document Summary
The peace of utrecht & the 18th century balance of power. Summer of 1709 - grand alliance - they sezied lille french town and opened northern heartland of france. Duke de villars constructed fixed defenses south of lilles - fixed fortifications were suffieicent to repel marlborough"s efforts. When the defensive lines proved strong enough to resist assault. Served communication with dutch - threaten national security. Insisited marl mop of fortifications one by one. Sanctioned seiges of fortress towns - lynch pit. September 1709 as m moved to do this - moving towards. Mands confronted by 80,000 french army under villars. Basic strategy didn"t change = pressurized wings or flanks all the better to force opponent to weaken in the centre. Held flank attacks under prince of orange and met m on the other wing - man for man. Conscious he could lose kingdon in an afternoon - prepared to counter attack against allied centre.
