Treaty of Utrecht

A series of treaties between France, Spain and other European countries (e.g., the Dutch republic, Prussia, Portugal, Savoy and Britain), officially ending the War of Spanish Succession (1701-1713). Ratified between April 11 1713 and September 1714.

In the treaty with Britain, France acknowledged Queen Anne as the British sovereign and decided to cut the support of the Old Pretender James Edward, the son of James II. Britain gained Newfoundland, Nova Scotia, the Hudson Bay territory and the island of St Kitts from France. France also pledged to destroy the fortress constructions at Dunkirk. These fortifications had been used to attack ships from the Dutch republic and Britain.

The treaties of Utrecht concerning Spain were more complicated to realize. When the treaty of Spain and Britain was ratified on 13 July 13, Gibraltar and Minorca were committed to Britain. Due to the Asiento agreement, Spain gave the right to Britain to provide the Spanish colonies with African slaves for the next 30 years.

Sources:

The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica. "Treaties of Utrecht." Encyclopædia Britannica, first published online 20 Jul 1998, http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/859832/treaties-of-Utrecht. Last accessed 16 June 2013.

Velde, François. "The Treaties of Utrecht (1713)." Heraldica, last modified 20 Jan 2010, http://www.heraldica.org/topics/france/utrecht.htm. Last accessed 16 June 2013.