1704

1704 was a leap year in the Gregorian calendar and the 1704nd year of the Anno Domini era. The year is primarily remembered for its prominence in the War of the Spanish Succession, which dominated European politics and military actions during this period.

In early 1704, Allied forces under John Churchill, the Duke of Marlborough, and Prince Eugene of Savoy achieved a major victory at the Battle of Blenheim in August, defeating the Franco-Bavarian army and marking a turning point in the war in favor of the Allies. The year also saw the strategic capture of Gibraltar by Anglo-Dutch forces, gaining a significant foothold on the Iberian Peninsula and shaping imperial rivals in the region for years to come. Across Europe, the conflict spread to multiple theaters with shifting alliances and ongoing operations that reflected the broader struggle for balance of power on the continent.

Beyond the military sphere, 1704 featured developments in philosophy, science, and culture within the European sphere and its overseas domains. Notably, English philosopher John Locke died in October 1704, an event that marked the passing of a key figure associated with early Enlightenment thought and political theory.

Globally, the year’s footprint is chiefly defined by European interstate conflict and its colonial ramifications, with imperial competition influencing events in North America, the Caribbean, Africa, and Asia. While no single event dominated every region, 1704 stands as a significant year in the longer arc of early 18th-century geopolitics and intellectual history.