Introduction

The Seven Years war was fought between 1756 and 1763. France, Austria, Russia, Saxony, Sweden and Spain were fighting against Prussia, Great Britain, and Hanover. Battles were fought in Europe, North America, Africa, The Philippines and India. It was the first worldwide war in history and it was the first time Russia had become involved in an entirely European matter.

Reasons for the war 

There were two main reasons for the war:
1. Fierce competition against France and Great Britain for more colonies.
2. Austria and Prussia were struggling to be the most powerful country in   the area of Europe then called Germany.

The war

In1757 Prussia won and lost battles against the Austrians, but at the end of 1757 Fredrick II of Prussia won great victories at Rossbach and Levthen, over the French and Austrians.

Fredrick defeated the Russians, who had invaded Prussia in 1758, at Zordorf.

The English and Hanoverians were fighting the French in Germany, and started to be successful in 1758, winning victory at Krefeld, and Minden in 1759. This was because of the determined support of the British Prime Minister, William Pitt, (the elder), who decided to concentrate on fighting the French and also to send reinforcements to the colonies.

Between August 1759 and January 1761, Frederick  II of Prussia struggled  to against defeat in the war. His situation was made worse when his ally, William Pitt lost power in Britain.  In 1762  Prussia was saved from defeat  when Elizabeth of Russia died. She was succeeded to the throne by Peter III of Russia, who admired Frederick.

France was suffering defeat in America. They lost Louisburg in 1758 and Quebec in 1759, and also some land in the West Indies.

In India, the British had destroyed French power with victories at Plassey in 1757 and Pondichery.

Spain entered the war late, in 1761 and was not able to help France.

Peace

In 1762 Russia made peace by the treaty of St Petersburg. Russia gave back all land conquered during the war.

Sweden also made peace in 1762.

Prussia, Austria and Saxony made peace in 1763 at Hubertusburg. Prussia was now seen to be the dominant power in Europe .

Peace was made at the Treaty of Paris between England, France and Spain in 1763. The Treaty of Paris meant that France lost most of its overseas territories and Britain achieved its goal in the war and became the worlds greatest colonial empire.