Victor Amadeus II of Sardinia

Victor Amadeus II (b.May 14 1666-d.October 31 1732) was the Duke of Savoy (1675-1720, 1730-1732). His mother Marie Jeanne Baptiste was the regent from 1675 to 1684. He first became king of Sicily (1713-1718), he was forced to exchange this title and instead became king of Sardinia (1720-1730).

Foreign Policy

Under his mother's regency Savoy, despite being a state of the Holy Roman Empire, was closely linked to and heavily dependant upon France, essentially becoming a French satellite. Victor Amadeus II broke this link with France by joining alliances against Savoy's neighbour in both the Nine Years War and the War of the Spanish Succession.

Related Topics:
Nine Years War - War of the Spanish Succession

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Savoy was considered a valuable ally in both wars due to its geographical position, enabling a second front to be opened against France in the south. Savoy relied heavily on foreign subsidies particularly from England and the United Dutch Provinces in both wars to maintain its armies. During the War of the Spanish Succession foreign subsidies amounted for almost half of the revenue raised by Savoy to fight the war. In the War of the Spanish Succession Savoy faired particularly badly against the larger French forces resulting in a siege of Turin in 1706 which was only relieved by the intervention of an army of the Holy Roman Empire under Prince Eugene of Savoy.

Related Topics:
England - United Dutch Provinces - Prince Eugene of Savoy

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As a result of his aid in the War of the Spanish Succession Victor Amadeus II was made King of Sicily in 1713 under the Treaty of Utrecht which ended the war. Victor Amadeus was forced to exchange Sicily for the less important kingdom of Sardinia in 1720 after objections from an alliance of four nations, including several of his former allies.

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