Daily Curiosityby Erudico

General History · Question

Which one of these rulers did not belong to the Habsburg dynasty?

Answer

Philip V

The story behind the answer

Philip V is correct because he was the first Bourbon king of Spain (r. 1700–1746), the grandson of France’s Louis XIV. He came to the Spanish throne after the Habsburg line ended with Charles II, triggering the War of the Spanish Succession. By contrast, Charles V (Holy Roman Emperor and King of Spain), Philip II (his son, King of Spain), and Franz Joseph (Emperor of Austria) were all Habsburgs.

Context: The Habsburgs dominated European politics for centuries, ruling Austria, much of the Holy Roman Empire, and Spain until 1700. Philip V’s accession shifted Spain from Habsburg to Bourbon rule, reshaping alliances and the balance of power. Memory tip: “Philip V = Versailles” (a

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