Editing Louis XIV (section)

===Commencement of fighting===
[[File:Batalladealmansa.jpg|thumb|The Franco-Spanish army led by the [[James FitzJames, 1st Duke of Berwick|Duke of Berwick]] defeated decisively the Alliance forces of Portugal, England, and the Dutch Republic at the [[Battle of Almansa]].]]
[[File:1706-05-23-Slag bij Ramillies.jpg|thumb|The [[Battle of Ramillies]] where the French fought the Dutch and British, 23 May 1706]]
Even before war was officially declared, hostilities began with Imperial aggression in Italy. Once finally declared, the [[War of the Spanish Succession]] lasted almost until Louis's death, at great cost to him and France.

The war began with French successes, but the talents of [[John Churchill, 1st Duke of Marlborough]], and [[Eugene of Savoy]] checked these victories and broke the myth of French invincibility. The duo allowed the Palatinate and Austria to occupy Bavaria after their victory at the [[Battle of Blenheim]]. [[Maximilian&nbsp;II Emanuel, Elector of Bavaria]], had to flee to the Spanish Netherlands. The impact of this victory won the support of Portugal and Savoy. Later, the [[Battle of Ramillies]] delivered the Low Countries to the Allies, and the [[Battle of Turin]] forced Louis to evacuate Italy, leaving it open to Allied forces. Marlborough and Eugene met again at the [[Battle of Oudenarde]], which enabled them to invade France.

France established contact with [[Francis&nbsp;II Rákóczi]] and promised support if he took up the cause of [[Rákóczi's War of Independence|Hungarian independence]].

Defeats, famine, and mounting debt greatly weakened France. Between 1693 and 1710, over two million people died in two famines, made worse as foraging armies seized food supplies from the villages.{{Sfn|Ó Gráda|Chevet|2002|pp=706–733}} In desperation, Louis ordered a disastrous invasion of the English island of [[Guernsey]] in the autumn of 1704 with the aim of raiding their successful harvest. By the winter of 1708–09, he was willing to accept peace at nearly any cost. He agreed that the entire Spanish empire should be surrendered to Archduke Charles, and also consented to return to the frontiers of the Peace of Westphalia, giving up all the territories he had acquired over 60 years. But he could not promise that Philip{{Nbsp}}V would accept these terms, so the Allies demanded that Louis single-handedly attack his grandson to force these terms on him. If he could not achieve this within the year, the war would resume. Louis would not accept these terms.{{Sfn|Lynn|1999|p=326}}