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The '''Seven Years' War''' (1756 - 1763) was an international conflict involving [[Prussia]] against the allied European nations. It was caused by the tension between [[Austria]] and Prussia as well as [[Great Britain]] and [[France]]. Great Britain, allied with Prussia, [[Hanover]] [[Portugal]] and other European minor countries, waged war upon France, [[Spain]], [[Austria]], [[Russia]] and other minor European countries, leading to what has been referred to as the 'First World War', although in modern terms that would be [[World War I|WWI]]. War broke out in 1754 in [[Europe]] and later spread to [[North America]], [[Scandinavia]] and [[India]]. It resulted in France losing much of its claim on [[New France]], Spain losing [[Florida]] and [[Bengal]] while receiving [[Louisiana]] from a defeated French.  It also marked the beginning of an era of tension between Britain and her colonies after the end of the policy of [[Salutary Neglect]].

==Background==
In the [[Diplomatic Revolution]] of 1756, the French, Austrians and Russians made an [[Military alliance|alliance]] against Prussia, resulting in assistance from Great Britain, who saw Hanover, threatened by France's militaristic style. The British hoped that these alliances would bring peace to Europe, but instead this was one of the major causes.

== Course of the war ==

=== 1756 ===
Although British Prime Minister, the [[Duke of Newcastle]], remained optimistic that war wouldn't break out, the French [[Siege of Minorca|attacked Minorca]] in April, sparking the war. A British attempt at relieving [[Minorca]] failed, and Minorca fell on 28 June. War was later declared war on 18 May, nearly two years after the Seven Years' War was believed to have started.

Having received reports of clashes in North America, and with the backing of an [[Anglo-Prussian Alliance]], [[Frederick I]] crossed the border at [[Saxony]] on 29 August. Saxony was one of rival Austria's allies; he intended this as a pre-emption of an anticipated Austro-French invasion of [[Silesia]].

==References==
{{reflist}}

==See also==
*[[Battle of Quiberon Bay]]

[[Category:European History]]
[[Category:Wars]]