CHARLES VI. (I6S5-1740). Holy Roman Emperor from 1711 to 1740, and the last of the direct male line of the House of Hapsburg. lie was the second son of the Emperor Leopold I., and was born October 1. 16S5. his father wished to secure for him tile crown of Spain: but Charles II. of Spain assigned it .by testament to Philip of Anjou, whereupon arose the great War of the Spanish Succession, Britain and Hol land taking part with the Emperor against France, for the maintenance of the balance of power in Europe. (See Suc•essiox Ails.) Charles was acknowledged by the Allies as Charles III. of Spain, but had not succeeded in obtaining permanent possession of the kingdom when the death of his brother, the Emperor ;Joseph 1.. recalled him to Germany in 1711: and as he now became Emperor of Germany. England and Holland •oneluded the Peace of with France in 1713, not wishing to see him also King of Spain. Charles continued the war for some time: hut by the Peace of Rastadt (1714) gave up his claim to Spain. being confirmed, however. in possession of the Spanish Nether lands and of the Spanish possessions in Italy. Ile was successful in a war against the Turks, marked by splendid Austrian victories tinder Prince Eugene, and concluded by the Treaty of I'assarowitz (171S), and in a war with Spain, which arose out of the project of the Spanish minister, Alberoni (q.v.), and in •hieh the Quad ruple Allian•e formed—France. England,
and Holland joining. the Emperor against Spain. Charles had lost his only son, and being anxious to secure the throne (0 ilk own descendants, named his daughter. Maria Theresa (q.v.), as his heiress, by a Pragmatic Suction. published April 19, 1713. For more than twenty years the foreign policy of Charles was dictated by the sole desire of obtaining the ratitleation of the Prag matic Sanction from the European powers. 'co a•eomplish this he sacrificed Austrian ter•i tories in Italy and Spain. and the commercial prosperity of Flanders to England and Holland. Sc( OsrEsn CON1 P.1 N Y.) He won I/yen Prussia by the concession of extensive privileges. and bribed Russia by allowing it a free hand in Poland. Ire was unsuccessful in the War of the Polish Suceession. waged against France and Spain, in the course of which Don Ca•bis conquered the Two Sicilies in 1734-45. Ile was also worsted in a second war with the Turks, terminated by the Peace of Belgrade. in 1739, in which Austria made some cessions of territory. Ile died October 20. 1740, Ile was of a mild and benevolent dispsition, lint full of superstition and conservative prejudices. Consult: Gesch ich ic de, i;sicrrcich ischrn kniserstaates (Handoirg. 1S34.-501 Cox•. History of lire House of .1 unt lilt (London. 1S471.