Seven Years War

The Seven Years' War was a conflict that pitted some of the world's greatest powers against each other. between 1754 and 1763. The war took place on many fronts, affecting Europe, America and Asia, having a great scope. To better understand this war, today in this lesson from a PROFESSOR we are going to offer you a summary of the Seven Years' War so that you better know this contest that took place in our history.

The years before the start of the Seven Years' War were marked by a large number of battles between some of the greatest powers in the world, which were in a moment of expansion, trying to get more colonies. In the 1950s, the biggest victors were being the Habsburgs, who possessed the greatest military power on the planet.

Austria, ruled by Maria Theresa of Habsburg, wanted to conquer Silesia, a territory that had fallen into the hands of Prussia after the War of the Austrian Succession. After this war the Treaty of Aachen, according to which all the regions that had changed hands during the war returned to their owners, the exception being Silesia. The Austrian queen did not agree with this and she strengthened herself for years in order to try to regain Silesia.

Austria had the support of powerful powers such as Saxony, Russia, Sweden and France, while the greatest support of Prussia was Great Britain, which was in clashes with France, in search of control of the best colonies. Prussia was surrounded and decided to attack Saxony, taking the area quickly, but having to retreat due to an Austrian attack. This entire event began the Seven Years' War.

The Seven Years' War had many different fronts, since the confrontation between the major supporters of Austria and Prussia, that is, Great Britain and France, took place on different continents at the same time. Therefore, we can speak of three different fronts in the conflict.

European front

After the defeat of Prussia with the Austrians. the latter together with their allies attacked the Prussian kingdom, seeking to benefit from its weakness. But the Prussian king, Frederick IIHe proved that he was a great general, achieving three great victories against his enemies, one being against the French, and the other two against the Austrian troops. The victories were not entirely good for Federico, receiving casualties and being forced to adopt a defensive mentality.

The following year the Austrians attacked again with the help of Russian troops, the biggest defeat being Frederick of Prussia. But the Austrians and Russians did not have great generals, so they took a long time to benefit from their victory. Federico took advantage of this to get two more victories a year later, although they were not definitive at all.

Shortly after, Russia took part of East Prussia, while the English achieved great victories against the French. Shortly after, after a change of leaders, Russia signed a peace treaty with Prussia, withdrawing support for the Austrians. This treaty was followed by others, which ended with this war in Europe.

American front

While most of the powers fought in Europe, France and Great Britain also fought in America, taking part of the 7 Years' War there, and initiating the Franco-Indian War.

The war pitted the French and a group of Native Indians against the British and other groups of Native Indians. The main causes of this conflict were the search for colonial power of the two great powers, and the rivalries between the different native tribes.

The war lasted 9 years, and ended with the victory of the British, conquering Canada. Its direct consequence was the Treaty of Paris, which also ended the 7-year war.

Asian front

The war also reached Asia, mainly in the area of ​​the India, where France and Great Britain clashed, because the British wanted to curb French influence in the Indian area, as it was one of their largest markets.

This part of the conflict ended in British victory, winning the French areas, and increasing its influence throughout India during the following years.

To conclude with this summary of the Seven Years' War we must talk about the Paris treaty, the main agreement of the war, whose subsequent influence is enormous. Some of the elements covered in this agreement were the following:

• France returned to Great Britain several territories, among which were Canada and much of India. These two regions would be vital for the industrial expansion of Great Britain, being largely responsible for positioning it as the world's leading power.
• Spain had to give Florida to the English but, in exchange, they gave him back Havana
• France had to give Louisiana to Spain
• Small regions were returned to France taken by the English during the war