Grand Alliance
The
Grand Alliance (known, prior to
1689, as the
League of Augsburg) was a
European coalition, consisting (at various times) of
Austria,
Bavaria,
Brandenburg,
England, the
Holy Roman Empire, the
Netherlands, the
Palatinate,
Saxony,
Spain,
Sweden, and the
United Provinces. The organization, which was founded in
1686, was known as the "Grand Alliance" after England joined the League (in 1689).
The League was officially formed by Emperor Leopold I, acting upon the advice of William III of Orange. The primary reason, for the League's creation, was to defend the Palatinate from France. This organization fought the War of the Grand Alliance, against France, from 1688 to 1697.
See also