TREATIES OF PEACE, and CONGRESS OF A.—The first peace of A. ended the war car ried on between France and Spain for the possession of the Spanish Netherlands. On the death of Philip IV., Louis XIV. laid claim to a large portion of those territories in the name of his wife, Maria Theresa, the daughter of Philip, urging the law of succession prevailing in Brabant and Namur respecting private property. The victorious progress of Louis was checked by the triple alliance between England, Holland, and Sweden, and a treaty of peace was concluded at A. in 1668, by which France retained possession of the fortresses of Charlerois, Lille, etc., which she hind already taken.
The second peace of A. concluded the war respecting the succession of Maria Theresa to the empire. See SurecEssiox, WARS oar. After the war had been carried on with vari ous success for eight years, peace was concluded in 1748. In general the possessions of the several states remained as before the war. Austria ceded Parma and Pla centia to the Spanish infanta, Philip; and the possession of Silesia was guaranteed to Prussia. The privilege of the Assiento treaty (q.v.) was anew confirmed to England for four years, and the pretender was expelled from France. Owing chiefly to the exertions
of her minister, Kaunitz, Austria came off with but small sacrifice, while England, not withstanding her splendid victories, derived little solid advantage, and was left with a debt raised to 80 millions.
The congress of A. was held in 1818, for regulating the affairs of Europe after the war. It began on the 30th Sept. and ended on the 21st Nov. Its principal object was the withdrawal from France of the army of occupation, 150,000 strong, as well as the receiving of France again into the alliance of the great powers. The emperors of Russia and Austria and the king of Prussia were personally present. The plenipotentiaries were 'Metternich, Castlereagh, and Wellington, Hardenberg and Bernstorff, Nesselrode, and Capo d'Istrias, with Richelieu on the part of France. France having engaged to complete the payment of the stipulated sums of money, was admitted to take part in the deliberations, and the five great powers assembled signed a protocol announcing a policy known as that of the " holy alliance" (q.v.).