The Reunions

THE REUNIONS-1683-84

BACKGROUND uniting territory of france- strengthening L. gained 40 towns in peave of Nymegan. L. wanted to be sure of hsi gains through quasi legal means he aimed to seize further towns to consolidate 'square off' borders L. maintained that he was merely aiming to defend his frontiers- protecting what was rightfully his other countries didnt believe him L.sets up french chambres (courts) of reunions, which unsuprisingly argued L. was right to defend and fight for disputed territories on his borders which he rightfully possessed after nymegan

AIMS wanting luxembourg (N) from span- make territory safe July 1681, L. army began a blockade of the city L. army also swooped on strasbourg (to which L. had to claim as it belonged to Leopold) and seized its vitual bridge

OTHER COUNTRIES L. living up to reputation of an 'aggrandising monarch' and 'insatiable conqueror'- J. Lynch form league of aubsberg span decalre war in response to aggresssion in north and dutch provided span with aid L. enemies called him 'The most christain turk' for seizing imperisal Leopolds territory in taking strasbourg whilst hes back was turned-fighting the turks turned into a hot conflict L. took luxembourg june 1683 and bombarded genoa in may- to reach the city a lesson for allowing span to use their port against the french

GAINS decided in the Truce of Ratisbon-1684 L. returns all conquest made in reunions, except luxembourg granted a 20yr guarentee on his possessions and could now turn his focus on home-dragonnades and edict of nantes, revoked 1685 L. tried to prevent the emigratino of french huguenots into italy by ordering the duke of savoy to attack his own protestant community in the vaudois region L. dispatched troops to deal with this in what turned into a genocide (mass murder)- this made other protestant countires wary of L. (dutch)

LONG TERM CONSEQUENCES hatton argues that L. always maintained he only fought span and dutch in loq countries to sequre NE border. he was concerned that the emperor woudl attack him if he didnt act first (leo already fighting turks?!) L. claimed he wanted a legal guarentee to his territories and he was reuniting with france he believed was his- yet his actions were aggressive wilkinson- dutch burnt down 2 barns...L. burnt down 20 towns

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