Pacte de Famille

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The Pacte de Famille (Family Compact in English) is one of two separate, but similar alliances between the Bourbon kings of France and Spain. The first of these was made in 1733 by King Philip V of Spain and King Louis XV of France. Philip was the grandson of Louis XIV and became the first Bourbon King of Spain in 1700 upon the extinction of Spanish Habsburgs. He was recognized as king by other European powers with the condition that the thrones of Spain and France never be united. Also Spanish possessions in Italy were ceded to Austria.

Louis XV was Philip's nephew. He had married Maria Leszczyńska the daughter of Stanislaus, the former King of Poland. Because of this marriage alliance France became involved in the War of the Polish Succession in 1733. Philip formed a plan to use this conflict to win back lost territory in Italy for his sons. He allied Spain to France. Because of his close relationship with Louis XV their alliance became known as the Family Compact. Louis failed to restore Stanislas to the Polish throne, but the Bourbons would gain the Duchy of Lorraine and the Duchy of Parma from his conflict.

The second Family Compact was made in 1761 by King Charles III of Spain and Louis XV. Charles was the son of Philip V, making him Louis's first cousin. At this time France was fighting the Seven Years' War against Great Britain. Charles's alliance reversed the policy of his predecessor, Ferdinand VI, who wished to keep Spain out of war. Once Spain became involved in the war the British occupied Cuba and the Philippines. Charles recovered these possessions, but lost Florida to the British.