What is Treaty of Ryswick?
The Treaty of Ryswick, also known as the Peace of Ryswick, was a series of agreements signed in 1697 that brought an end to the Nine Years’ War (1688-1697) in Europe. Here’s a breakdown of the key points:
- Who Signed It: France and the Grand Alliance, which included major powers like the Dutch Republic and the Holy Roman Empire.
- What Ended: The Nine Years’ War, a major conflict between France and other European nations.
- Why Was It Signed? By 1697, both sides were exhausted by the war’s financial burdens and widespread devastation.
- Key Points:
- France recognized William III as the rightful king of England.
- France gave up attempts to control certain territories like Cologne and the Palatinate.
- France ended its occupation of some areas and returned territories to Spain and the Holy Roman Empire.
- The Dutch gained permission to garrison fortresses in the Spanish Netherlands.
- Territorial changes were mostly minor, with neither side gaining a significant advantage.
Aftermath: The Treaty of Ryswick provided a temporary peace, but underlying tensions between France and other European powers remained. The conflict would resurface just a few years later in the War of the Spanish Succession (1702-1714).
