The Seven-Years War

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The Seven-Years War

war military conflict

The Seven Years War was the first global conflict. Even Winston Churchill called this war as «The First World War». The Seven Years War took place in Europe and behind the ocean, in the American states. The war had two main fronts. The first, in Europe, was the conflict around Silesia between Austria and Prussia. The second front was the colonial rivalries between France and Britain. However, the main military actions were between Austria and Prussia over Silesia.

The first steps to war started by the traditional rivalries between France and Britain. These rivalries transformed to an open conflict in 1755. Furthermore, Britain declared the war against France. Unfortunately, this conflict broke the European balance of power. The main European states at that time changed their position and created new alliances. The traditional rivalries between Austria and France for the hegemony suddenly weakened because of the emergence of the third European power - Prussia (after the emergence of Frederick II, Prussia strengthened its power). Furthermore, Frederick «The Great» had gained the rich province of Silesia from Austria (after the Silesian Wars). Accessibly, Austria could not accept with the loss of Silesia.

Before I start explaining and describing the events of the Seven Years War, I would like you to know the main actors of this war. They are: Frederick II (The Great), Maria Therese, Elizabeth of Russia, Louis XV, and George II. Frederick the Great was the Prussian King during the war. Maria Therese was the empress of Austria and she was the only female ruler of the Habsburg dominions and the last of the House of Habsburg. Elizabeth of Russia (Elizaveta Petrovna) was the Empress of Russia (1741-1762) who took the country into the War of Austrian Succession (1740-1748) and the Seven Years War (1756-1763). Louis XV was King of France. George II was King of Great Britain and Ireland He also was Duke of Hanover.

In January 1757 the Holy Roman Empire, led by Maria Therese of Habsburg, and empress of Austria, declared the war against Prussia. Britain formed the treaty of alliance with Prussia to secure itself from the French attacks on Hannover. The political map of Europe had been redrawn in a few years as Austria abandoned its alliance with Britain. Frederick realized that it was impossible to avoid the war with Prussia. Moreover, he expected that Britain would not allow the involvement of Russians. However, Frederick overestimated the British influence on Russians. As a result, Frederick forced to fight against three Great Powers (France, Austria, and Russia). Prussia was surrounded by enemies, with much greater standing army and resources. However, Frederick's response was to invade Bohemia, and his army defeated the Austrians at the Battle for Prague (May 6^th, 1757). Although Frederick defeated a French and Austrian army in Saxony at the battle of Rossbach (November 5^th, 1757). Then he defeated Austrian army invading Silesia at the battle of Leuthen (December 5^th, 1757). The same year British army defeated the French in India.

The French occupied Hanover. However, it did not last for a long. A joint British and Hanoverian army defeated a Franco-Austrian army at Crefeld (June, 1758), then followed by Prussian victory over the Russians at Zorndorg (August 1758). On the one hand, 1759 became unfavorable for Prussia. On the other hand, 1759 saw Britain triumphant. Britain was victorious on land, at sea, and also in colonies. The British gained Quebec from the French. British success continued in 1760, with the victory over the French in India at the battle of Wandiwash (January, 22^nd), which ended the French hopes of a victory in India. Moreover, despite the short occupation of the Brandenburg House, Berlin, Prussians were successful. They defeated the Austrians at Torgau. Then the Prussians transformed the war from the open military actions to maneuvers, because they were unable continuing the aggressive fighting.

After six years of the Seven Years War, the Prussian army was greatly weakened and had just lost the vital Baltic Sea port of Kolberg to the Russians. Frederick II of Prussia considered himself lost and was on the verge of suicide. Russia was ready to occupy Berlin («The House of the Branderburg»). However, the course of the war was changed by the death of The British king and the emergence of Peter III on the Russian Throne (January, 1762). George II of Great Britain died in October 25^th, 1760. His death ended British aid to Prussia. Morever, the new Russian tsar Peter III was a great admirer of the Prussian culture and Frederick itself. He was very pro-Prussian, which made him an unpopular leader. Consequently, Peter III immediately stopped the military actions against Prussia. This turn of events has become known as «The Miracle of the house of Brandenburg». Furthermore, he signed with Frederick «The Great» the peace treaty of Petersburg. The terms of this treaty were very unfavorable for Russia. Russia returned the conquered East Prussia (which already was the part of Russian Empire for about four years). As I mentioned above, Peter III was very unpopular in Russia. Moreover, he was overthrown and murdered. Catherine II reigned as Empress of Russia from July 9^th, 1762, immediately after the assassination of her husband, Peter III. Catherine the Great switched Russian support back to Austria and launched fresh attacks on Prussia.

1762 brought two new countries into the war. Britain declared war against Spain on January 4^th, 1762; Spain reacted by issuing their own declaration of war against Britain on January 18^th. Portugal followed by joining the war on Britain's side.

The colonial conflict mainly between France and Britain occurred in India, North America, Europe, the Caribbean isles, the Philippines and coastal Africa. As for the North American theater of war, the first success was gained by France. This colonial war was also known as «The Franco-Indian War». However, the course of the war was changed in 1758; France lost Louisburg, the vital port. The success of the British continued when they conquered Quebec. British victories continued in all theaters in the Annus Mirabilis of 1759. In September 1760, the British side negotiated with the French. The British granted the French that any French local residents who chose to remain in the colony would be given freedom to continue worshiping in their Roman Catholic tradition, continued ownership of their property, and the right to remain undisturbed in their homes. The British provided medical treatment for the sick and wounded French soldiers and French regular troops were returned to France aboard British ships with an agreement that they were not to serve again in the present war. Most of the fighting between France and Britain in continental North America ended in 1760. During the war, Great Britain gained enormous areas of land and influence at the expense of the French. The British Royal Navy captured the French sugar colonies of Guadeloupe in 1759 and Martinique in 1762, as well as the Spanish cities of Havana in Cuba, and Manila in the Philippines, both prominent Spanish colonial cities.

The war in North America was officially ended with the signing of the Treaty of Paris on February 10^th, 1763, and the war in the European theater of the Seven Years War was ended by the Treaty of Hubertusburg on February 15^th, 1763, with the victory of Anglo-Prussian coalition. The North American war changed economic, political, and social relations between France, Britain, and Spain. It also changed their colonies and colonists, and the natives that inhabited the territories they claimed. France and Britain both suffered financially because of the war, with significant long-term consequences. Britain gained control over French Canada and Acadia. However, the European boundaries were returned to their status quo as a result of the complete exhaustion of the warring parties. Nevertheless, Prussia gained enormously in influence at the expense of the Holy Roman Empire. Furthermore, Prussia became one of the leading European Powers. Moreover, Britain became the Colonial Empire by gaining enormous areas of land. In my opinion, there are three possible causes of the Prussian success: the disagreements between the allies, insidiousness of the Austrians, and the main cause, the death of Elizabeth of Russia. Due to the Petersburg Treaty, Russia did not acquire anything, except a priceless experience.

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