Relations between France and Great Britain have improved following the death of Louis XIV and Queen Anne.

George I and the new French Regent, Philippe II, Duke of Orléans, are cousins and each faced threats to their regime.

Orléans is concerned that his domestic enemies, in particular the Duke of Maine, will combine with Spain to overthrow him, while George I wishes to persuade the French to withhold support for any further Jacobite risings.

According to the Duc de Saint-Simon, who opposes the Alliance, the British Ambassador to Paris, the Earl of Stair, had argued that the short-term advantage to both regimes of an alliance outweighed their traditional differences.

Orléans agrees, as does his secretary Guillaume Dubois, the future Cardinal, who (together with James Stanhope, 1st Earl Stanhope, the English Secretary of State), is generally regarded as the principal author of the Triple Alliance.

Saint-Simon, who loathes Dubois, argues that the Bourbon Kingdoms of France and Spain should be perpetual allies, but this takes no account of present realities.

In an attempt to maintain the agreement of the 1713 Treaty of Utrecht, the Netherlands, Britain and France, concerned about Spain becoming a superpower in Europe, form the Triple Alilance on January 4, 1717 against Spain to secure the succession of Hanover to the British Throne and the House of Orleans to the French Throne, should Louis XV die.

As a result, militarization takes place, causing great havoc to civilians.

This enrages Spain and other states, leading to brinkmanship.

Britain, in particular, has become very concerned by Spanish ambitions in the Mediterranean Sea and Russian expansion in the Baltic and dispatches fleets to both as a preventative measure.

The French navy, badly weakened from the recent war, cannot offer much support.

Later in the year, to strengthen the Treaty of Utrecht, Britain, France and Austria contemplate ceding Sicily to the Holy Roman Emperor Charles VI.

This arrangement displeases Spain, who wants to recover the island.

The Cellamare Conspiracy and the War of the Quadruple Alliance (1718–1720)

The Cellamare Conspiracy (1718) confirmed France’s fears of Spanish aggression, as Philip V of Spain attempted to reclaim lost territories in Sardinia and Sicily, violating the Treaty of Utrecht (1713). This led to the formation of the Quadruple Alliance (1718)—an anti-Spanish coalition of Austria, France, Britain, and the Dutch Republic—which fought Spain in the War of the Quadruple Alliance (1718–1720).

Background: Spain’s Expansionist Ambitions Under Philip V

• Philip V, still seeking to reverse Spain’s losses from the War of the Spanish Succession, aimed to expand Spanish influence in Italy.
• In July 1718, Spanish forces seized Sardinia and Sicily, directly challenging the terms of the Peace of Utrecht.
• France, Austria, Britain, and the Dutch Republic saw this as a threat to European stability.

The Formation of the Quadruple Alliance (1718)

• In response to Spanish aggression, Austria, France, Britain, and the Dutch Republic formed the Quadruple Alliance to uphold the balance of power in Europe.
• The treaty aimed to force Spain to withdraw from Sardinia and Sicily.
• France, Britain, and Austria formally declared war on Spain on December 17, 1718.
• The Dutch Republic joined the war in August 1719.

Military Campaigns and Spain’s Defeat

✔ The Allies Occupied Sicily and Northern Spain

• Austrian forces landed in Sicily, engaging Spanish troops in a series of battles.
• British and French fleets secured naval dominance, isolating Spain’s forces.
• French troops invaded northern Spain, forcing Philip V onto the defensive.

✔ Spain Is Forced to Renounce Its Claims

• The war ended with Spain renouncing its claim to Sardinia and Sicily.
• Sardinia was given to Austria, while Sicily was transferred to the House of Savoy.

Conclusion: A Setback for Spanish Ambitions

The War of the Quadruple Alliance (1718–1720) halted Spain’s attempts to expand in Italy, reinforcing the balance of power established by the Treaty of Utrecht. The war:

✔ Weakened Spain’s military and diplomatic standing.
✔ Strengthened Britain, Austria, and France’s control over European affairs.
✔ Ensured that Spain remained isolated from major European alliances for decades.

Philip V’s aggressive policies backfired, reinforcing Habsburg and Bourbon dominance in Italy, while Spain struggled to recover from its diplomatic and military defeats.

The Cellamare Conspiracy and the War of the Quadruple Alliance (1718–1720)

The Cellamare Conspiracy (1718) confirmed France’s fears of Spanish aggression, as Philip V of Spain attempted to reclaim lost territories in Sardinia and Sicily, violating the Treaty of Utrecht (1713). This led to the formation of the Quadruple Alliance (1718)—an anti-Spanish coalition of Austria, France, Britain, and the Dutch Republic—which fought Spain in the War of the Quadruple Alliance (1718–1720).

Background: Spain’s Expansionist Ambitions Under Philip V

• Philip V, still seeking to reverse Spain’s losses from the War of the Spanish Succession, aimed to expand Spanish influence in Italy.
• In July 1718, Spanish forces seized Sardinia and Sicily, directly challenging the terms of the Peace of Utrecht.
• France, Austria, Britain, and the Dutch Republic saw this as a threat to European stability.

The Formation of the Quadruple Alliance (1718)

• In response to Spanish aggression, Austria, France, Britain, and the Dutch Republic formed the Quadruple Alliance to uphold the balance of power in Europe.
• The treaty aimed to force Spain to withdraw from Sardinia and Sicily.
• France, Britain, and Austria formally declared war on Spain on December 17, 1718.
• The Dutch Republic joined the war in August 1719.

Military Campaigns and Spain’s Defeat

✔ The Allies Occupied Sicily and Northern Spain

• Austrian forces landed in Sicily, engaging Spanish troops in a series of battles.
• British and French fleets secured naval dominance, isolating Spain’s forces.
• French troops invaded northern Spain, forcing Philip V onto the defensive.

✔ Spain Is Forced to Renounce Its Claims

• The war ended with Spain renouncing its claim to Sardinia and Sicily.
• Sardinia was given to Austria, while Sicily was transferred to the House of Savoy.

Conclusion: A Setback for Spanish Ambitions

The War of the Quadruple Alliance (1718–1720) halted Spain’s attempts to expand in Italy, reinforcing the balance of power established by the Treaty of Utrecht. The war:

✔ Weakened Spain’s military and diplomatic standing.
✔ Strengthened Britain, Austria, and France’s control over European affairs.
✔ Ensured that Spain remained isolated from major European alliances for decades.

Philip V’s aggressive policies backfired, reinforcing Habsburg and Bourbon dominance in Italy, while Spain struggled to recover from its diplomatic and military defeats.