Database: War of the Spanish Succession

In 1701, Europe became embroiled in the War of the Spanish Succession to determine who would rule the Spanish Empire after King Charles II died childless. On one side were the Bourbons of France and Spain, on the other the Austrian Habsburgs and its allies like Great Britain. The war spilled out of Europe and across the world, including the Caribbean. When the war ended, many British privateers were left unemployed and so turned their wartime talents to piracy on the high seas.