The encirclement of Geneva by Spanish troops in 1743
For almost seven years, from September 1742 to February 1749, Savoy villages neighbouring the city of Geneva were occupied and troubled by Spanish troops. Although part of the War of the Austrian Succession and therefore the great history of Europe, the occupation has been all but forgotten by historians.
Christophe Vuilleumier
Christophe Vuilleumier is a historian and board member of the Schweizerische Gesellschaft für Geschichte (Swiss Historical Society). He has published a number of articles on 17th and 20th century Swiss history.
Prussia was the first to oppose Austria, before Bavaria and then France and Spain under Philip V also became involved. In 1741 Spanish and Sicilian troops marched on northern Italy with their sights primarily on Milan, which then belonged to Austria. The invasion prompted the king of Sardinia to conclude the Convention of Turin with Austria on 1 February 1742, creating an alliance that triggered conflict with Spain. In March 1742, Louis XV authorised passage through France for Spanish troops waiting in Barcelona, but no sooner had they reached Nice than the Sardinians blocked any further progress. The Spanish therefore decided to change course, and headed instead for Chambéry. The Sardinian counteroffensive in the autumn of 1742 failed against the Spanish regiments commanded by the Marquis de la Mina, who had taken control of the area. This allowed Philip, Infante of Spain, son of the Spanish king and future Duke of Parma, to enter Chambéry and take up residence in the fortified château on 5 January 1743. Oaths of allegiance from the nobles and authorities of Savoy soon followed.
The army corps gradually occupied the entire area surrounding Geneva, with officers claiming exemption from the bridge toll at the Pont d’Arve, which they were then granted.
The Genevans nonetheless persevered with their diplomatic endeavours, entering into negotiations with the Infante of Spain in Chambéry at the end of March to press for the 1603 Treaty of Saint-Julien to be upheld. This was pressing because the situation was deteriorating fast. On 22 March a company of dragoons in search of food took over Avusy and beat to death a Genevan farmer who resisted. This mobilised the villagers, who succeeded in driving out the ruffians. It was a short-lived victory, however. Only a few hours later sixteen dragoons returned to invade the village and arrest nine unfortunate souls, who they took to Thoiry. Always short of supplies, the Spanish soldiers also helped themselves to the manor’s crops. In June they cut the fields belonging to a Genevan captain, and halted grain carts in Carouge on the orders of the Marquis de la Mina.
Infante Philip understood the importance of abiding by the treaties with the city of Geneva because he wanted to be sure of its cooperation. Full and unrestricted freedom of trade between Savoy and Geneva was therefore restored on 15 January 1744, for example, and the city’s sovereignty was respected from then on. In February 1744 Spanish commander de la Vega asked for permission to take his Calatrava regiment on the shortest route from Andalusia to Saint-Julien, which would have taken him through the fortified area of Geneva. Geneva refused on security grounds, without any reprisal from the Spanish authorities.
It actually served Infante Philip to ensure a semblance of calm and collaboration with Geneva, because the city shared allies with the king of France. In addition, many profiteers helped Spanish deserters to escape to Switzerland in return for a few piastres, and bought weapons and even horses cheaply. One case in April 1746 attracted particular attention, when the farmers of Dardagny held a Spanish troop in the village and liberated deserters, who the Spanish were returning to Chambéry. Some Genevans even got dragoons to change sides by taking them into their service and using them to block and steal supplies heading for the city.
