The Impossible Dream. France and the Austrian Netherlands during the Régence, 1715-1723

Abstract

This article examines how after the Treaty of Utrecht of 1713, in spite of the official French peace policy, the desire to incorporate sooner or later the Southern Netherlands into France remained quite strong in Paris. Although during the Regency of the Duke of Orléans (1715-1723) France officially and publicly distanced itself from any form of annexionism, the analysis of French diplomatic correspondence and memoranda circulating in government circles shows that France was by no means a “ satisfied nation” and that the ambition to one day annex the Southern Netherlands to France remained as strong as ever. The desire for peace shown by Paris during la Régence was only motivated by a lack of resources, the fear of a new anti-French coalition and pragmatic considerations of international politics.