The first global conflict
to explain the causes of the Seven Years' War;
to characterize the European and non‑European aspects of the global conflict;
to recognize the consequences of the Seven Years' War.
Since 1730, „the War of Jenkins' Ear”„the War of Jenkins' Ear” was being waged in the colonies, in which English colonists achieved quite spectacular successes in their fight against the French and the Spanish. The Treaty of Aix‑la‑Chapelle of 1748 which ended the parallel European war (for the Austrian succession) deprived the colonists of all their conquests. As in previous decades, however, the most difficult struggle took place in Europe (known as the Seven Years' Warthe Seven Years' War, or the Great Northern War). The war that began in North America, whose main fights took place on the battlefields of Europe, also covered Central America (the Caribbean) and South America, Africa and Asia. It was therefore the first global conflict caused by rivalry between the European states.
Combine the facts and name their consequences. Place the following information in appropriate places in the table.
Fights occurring between the French in Canada and the British colonists of Virginia led to the outbreak of the British-French war in the colonies in 1756. The conflict spread to Europe. Great Britain then found an ally in Prussia., War waged in 1756-1763 between Prussia, allied with Great Britain and a few German principalities, and a coalition consisting of Austria, France, Russia, Saxony, Sweden and most of the German Reich and Spain. The battles took place in Europe, on the seas and in the colonies, In response to the alliance of Great Britain and Prussia, France entered into an alliance with its former opponent, Austria, as well as with Austria's ally, Russia., This preserved the existence of the Prussian state. An unforeseen improvement in the situation of King Frederick II, who was facing total defeat in the Seven Years' War, and even the partition of Prussia. The new emperor of Russia ordered an immediate cessation of warfare and concluded peace with Prussia., the Seven Years' War
| Event | Consequences | How was this event called? |
|---|---|---|
| War waged in 1756-1763 between Prussia, allied with Great Britain and a few German principalities, and a coalition consisting of Austria, France, Russia, Saxony, Sweden and most of the German Reich and Spain. The battles took place in Europe, on the seas and in the colonies | the Seven Years' War | |
| Fights occurring between the French in Canada and the British colonists of Virginia led to the outbreak of the British-French war in the colonies in 1756. The conflict spread to Europe. Great Britain then found an ally in Prussia. | In response to the alliance of Great Britain and Prussia, France entered into an alliance with its former opponent, Austria, as well as with Austria's ally, Russia. | |
| This preserved the existence of the Prussian state. An unforeseen improvement in the situation of King Frederick II, who was facing total defeat in the Seven Years' War, and even the partition of Prussia. The new emperor of Russia ordered an immediate cessation of warfare and concluded peace with Prussia. |
Listen to the recording. Give your opinion on the importance of the Seven Years' War in the history of Europe and the world.
When the Seven Years' War broke out on May 18, 1756, nobody could predict that from its ashes the first world superpower, Great Britain, would emerge. The most powerful countries of the world took part in the conflict which spread over three continents. The reason for its outbrake was the 18th century's political solstice. Prussia and Russia, two aggressive countries, developed quickly, and there was a hit‑and‑run colonial war happening between France and Great Britain, the victor in which would rule North America.
Major countries started to form alliances: the British joined the Prussians, while Austria allied with France. An outbrake of the war was just a matter of time. The Prussian king Frederick II was the first to take action and entered Saxony with his troops. Austria immediately took advantage of this and attacked Silesia. Russia took Austria's side, and so the first global conflict in history began.
At first glance, the Franco‑Austrian‑Russian coalition seemed to be stronger and it also had a much larger military forces at its disposal. Therefore, at the beginning of the war, the English and Prussians suffered successive defeats. With time, however, it became clear what their advantages were - an extraordinary ability to mobilise financially and military mastery were the major ones. Frederick's achievements in mobilizing Prussia to fight and his successes as a commander on the battlefield could not raise any doubts. Equally important was the skilful financial and military support of Prussia (the crucial for the alliance defence of Hanover). The British Navy also systematically and effectively blocked the Atlantic ports of France and had enough strength to secure control of the Mediterranean Sea. Again and again, the British demonstrated their superiority over other nations on the sea, regardless of the weather, even among raging storms. They make it practically impossible for the French to ship any food to West Indies (the territorial coasts of America), Canada and India. All over the world, French colonies fell into the hands of the British almost effortlessly.
The „miracles” which happened to Frederick II also proved to be most useful. The King of Prussia not only crushed the French army at Rosbach, Lutynia, Legnica and Torgau, but also defeated the Austrian army twice and, what is more, he managed not to not lose the throne (allied states postulated the partition of the aggressor). In fact, Russia was a much more dangerous opponent for him. However, luckily for him, Tsarina Elisabeth II, who hated him with all her heart, died unexpectedly at that time and the new tsar, Peter III, preferred to make peace with Prussia. Not because he wouldn't be able to handle them - rather because every subsequent clash with the Russian army was extremely brutal. He simply was an admirer of the Prussian king.
Peace which ended the Seven Years' War essentially restored the status of the pre‑war Europe. All those who sought to overthrow Prussia suffered a defeat. Great Britain, on the other hand, was the biggest beneficiary of the conflict. It eliminated the influence of France from India and, most importantly, it seized power over most of the North American continent.
After the Seven Years' War, Europe's centre shifted from the west to the east and the British Empire became the global hegemon for the next 150 years. However, each victory has its price: it was the colonial population that financed the war. This fact gave rise to the American Revolutionary War, thanks to which the United States emerged as an independent state. Poland was also badly affected by the change in the balance of power and the weakening of France. Not even one decade had passed from the war when Russia, Austria and Prussia forgot their recent animosities and together proceeded with the partition of the Republic of Poland.
Based on: P. Kennedy, The Rise and Fall of the Great Powers
Complete the exercises on the basis of your knowledge of the Seven Years' War.
Assign the allies to the sides of the conflict.
Prussia, Portugal and its allies, Spain, Russia, Austria, Sweden and its allies
| Side A - Great Britain | |
|---|---|
| Side B - France |
List the most important provisions of the peace treaties ending the Seven Years' War:
on European issues,
in relation to colonial areas.
Keywords
the Seven Years' War, Miracle of the House of Brandenburg
Glossary
„Wojna o ucho Jenkinsa” – konflikt zbrojny, który rozegrał się w Ameryce Północnej pomiędzy Wielką Brytanią a Hiszpanią. Wojna ta była wstępem do wojny siedmioletniej.
Wojna siedmioletnia – wojna toczona w latach 1756–1763 między Prusami , sprzymierzonymi z Wielką Brytanią i kilkoma księstwami niemieckimi, a koalicją, w skład której wchodziły Austria, Francja, Rosja, Saksonia, Szwecja i większość państw Rzeszy Niemieckiej oraz Hiszpania.
Cud domu brandenburskiego – po śmierci cesarzowej rosyjskiej Elżbiety II w 1762 r., nowy car Piotr III, nakazał natychmiastowe przerwanie działań wojennych i zawarł z Prusami pokój.