text: **Acceptance of the will of Charles II and consequences**
  
  On his deathbed in 1700, Charles II of Spain 
  unexpectedly 
  clear 
  demonstration of French military superiority for 
  many decades before this time, the pro-French 
  faction at the court of Spain, and even Pope 
  Innocent XII convinced him that France was more likely to preserve his empire intact. He 
  thus offered the entire empire to the Dauphin's second son Philip, Duke of Anjou, provided 
  it remained undivided. Anjou was not in the direct line of French succession, thus his 
  accession would not cause a Franco-Spanish union.[92] If Anjou refused, the throne would 
  be offered to his younger brother Charles, Duke of Berry. If the Duke of Berry declined it, 
  it would go to Archduke Charles, then to the distantly related House of Savoy if Charles 
  declined it.[93] 
  
  changed his will. The 
  
  Philip V of Spain 
  
  Louis was confronted with a difficult choice. He could agree to a partition of the Spanish 
  possessions and avoid a general war, or accept Charles II's will and alienate much of 
  Europe. He may initially have been inclined to abide by the partition treaties, but the 
  Dauphin's insistence persuaded him otherwise.[94] Moreover, Louis's foreign minister, 
  Jean-Baptiste Colbert, marquis de Torcy, pointed out that war with the Emperor would 
  almost certainly ensue whether Louis accepted the partition treaties or Charles II's will. He 
  emphasised that, should it come to war, William III was unlikely to stand by France since 
  he "made a treaty to avoid war and did not intend to go to war to implement the treaty".[91] Indeed, in the event of war, it might be 
  preferable to be already in control of the disputed lands. Eventually, therefore, Louis decided to accept Charles II's will. Philip, 
  Duke of Anjou, thus became Philip V, King of Spain. 
  
  Louis in 1701 