Seven Years War

Seven Years War (1756–63) A wide-ranging conflict involving Prussia, Britain, and Hanover fighting against Austria, France, Russia, Sweden, and Spain. It continued the disputes left undecided after the treaty of AIX-LA-CHAPELLE, and was concerned partly with colonial rivalry between Britain and France and partly with the struggle for supremacy in Germany between Austria and Prussia. Fighting had continued in North America with the Braddock expedition. Each side was dissatisfied with its former allies and in 1756 FREDERICK II of Prussia concluded the Treaty of Westminster with Britain. This made it possible for MARIA THERESA of Austria and her minister Count von Kaunitz to obtain an alliance with France (known as the ‘diplomatic revolution’) by the two treaties of Versailles in 1756 and 1757; she was also allied with Elizabeth of Russia. At first the advantage was with the French and Austrians, but in July 1757 PITT the Elder came to power in England and conducted the war with skill and vigour. In November Frederick II won his great victory of Rossbach over the French, and in December he defeated the Austrians at Leuthen. Frederick was hard pressed in 1758, but he defeated the Russians at Zorndorf and Ferdinand of Brunswick protected his western flank with an Anglo-Hanoverian army. In 1759 WOLFE captured Quebec, Ferdinand defeated the French army at MINDEN, and HAWKE destroyed the French fleet at QUIBERON BAY. In India CLIVE had won control of Bengal at Plassey, and in 1760 Montreal was taken. Admiral BOSCAWEN successfully attacked the French West Indies. In 1761 Spain entered the war and Pitt resigned. The death of Elizabeth of Russia eased the pressure on Frederick, as her successor Peter III reversed her policy. All were ready for peace, which was concluded by the Treaty of PARIS in 1763: overall England and Russia were victorious.