A global struggle fought across Europe, North America, the Caribbean, Africa and Asia.
The Seven Years' War was fought from 1756 to 1763 across Europe, North America, the Caribbean, west Africa and South Asia. It connected a European alliance reversal to imperial competition.
British success expanded overseas empire while Prussia survived against stronger continental enemies. The financial consequences helped provoke later revolutions.
Britain allied with Prussia while Austria joined France and Russia, reversing earlier alignments. Austria sought to recover Silesia.
Navies, colonial forces, Indigenous allies and trading companies fought for territory and commerce. Campaigns in India and North America had their own local causes.
The 1763 treaties redistributed colonies and confirmed Prussian possession of Silesia. Debt encouraged British taxation of American colonies and French fiscal crisis.
Campaigns in Europe, North America, the Caribbean, west Africa and India were linked by imperial finance and naval power. Local allies pursued objectives that did not simply mirror European strategy.
The peace settlement redistributed territory but also created fiscal and political pressures that contributed to the American Revolution and later imperial crises.
Anglo-French conflict preceded formal European war.
Prussia invaded Saxony.
British Company and Prussian victories reshaped different theatres.
British victories included Quebec and Quiberon Bay.
Peter III withdrew from the anti-Prussian coalition.
Paris and Hubertusburg ended the conflict.
Was this the first world war?
How important were Indigenous alliances?
Why did victory create new imperial problems?
Begin with the foundations, then move into the events, people and debates that add detail and complexity.
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