What was the main objective of the War of the Spanish Succession?

The main objective of the War of the Spanish Succession was to prevent Louis XIV of France from uniting the Spanish and French thrones under his family. This conflict arose after the death of the childless Charles II of Spain, who willed the Spanish crown to Philip of Anjou, a grandson of Louis XIV. European powers were alarmed at the prospect of a powerful Bourbon dynasty encompassing both Spain and France, which could potentially upset the balance of power in Europe.

To counteract this threat, a coalition formed, including England, the Dutch Republic, and the Holy Roman Empire, among others, to oppose France's ambitions. The war highlighted the importance of maintaining a balance of power among European nations to prevent any single state from becoming too dominant, which was a prevailing concern in international politics at the time.

In contrast, the other options presented do not align with the primary motivations of the war. The annexation of Quebec, the spread of communism, and the liberation of the Italian states were not central issues driving the conflict, despite their significance in other historical contexts.