“Spanish Succession.” By the death of Charles II., of Spain, the house then on the throne became extinct. His two brothers in-law, Louis XIV., of France, and Leopold I., of Austria, both claimed the throne for princes of their families. Charles in a second will had appointed Philip, the grandson of Louis XIV., as his successor, but Germany, England and Holland contested the will. The war lasted thirteen years. The allies gained several victories, but Philip secured the throne, although obliged to give up several provinces.
“Blenheim,” blĕnˈheīm. A village of Bavaria on the Danube. This battle took place August 13, 1704.
“Duke of Marlborough.” He commanded the English forces, while Prince Eugene led the Austrians.
“Frederick the Great.” (1712-1786.) During the forty-six years of his reign Frederick waged three important wars—the first and second Silesian wars and the Seven Years’ war. The cause of each was his claim to the province of Silesia. After the close of the third, in 1763, Frederick devoted himself to the restoration and improvement of his country. It is said that at his death he left to his nephew and successor, “a surplus of $50,000,000, an army of 220,000 men, a territory increased by nearly 30,000 square miles, and an industrious, intelligent and happy population of 6,000,000.”
P. 252, c. 1.—“Jena,” jēˈna, or yāˈnä; “Auerstädt,” öuˈer-stät.
“Rhine-Bund.” The confederation of the Rhine.
“Deutscher-Bund.” The German Confederation.
P. 252, c. 2.—“Zollverein,” zŏllˈver-eīn. A commercial league formed in Germany for the purpose of establishing a uniform rate of customs.
“Versailles,” ver-sailzˈ.
“Wallenstein,” vâlˈlen-stine. (1583-1634.) An Austrian general.