War of The Quadruple Alliance - Outbreak of Conflict

Outbreak of Conflict

Later in the year, to strengthen the Treaty of Utrecht, Britain, France and Austria contemplated ceding Sicily to the Holy Roman Emperor Charles VI. This arrangement displeased Spain, who wanted to recover the island.

In August 1717 Philip began hostilities against Austria by invading the island of Sardinia, taking advantage of the fact that Austria was tied up in the Austro-Turkish War of 1716-18. A fleet of 100 transport ships, protected by 15 warships, carried 9,000 men under command of the Marquis of Lede was assembled. It sailed from Barcelona to Sardinia, which was subdued by November 1717.

The initial Austrian reaction to this invasion was limited, as the Austrian Supreme Commander Prince Eugene of Savoy wanted to avoid a major war in Italy as long as the conflict in the Balkans continued, soaking up Austrian troops and resources. Finally, on 21 July 1718, the Treaty of Passarowitz ended the war with the Ottoman Empire and on 2 August, this led to the formation of the Quadruple Alliance, with the Emperor now joining the Triple Alliance.