Definition of Seven Years' War

In the history of continent In Europe there have been many military conflicts between the major powers. The Seven Years' War took place between 1756 and 1763 and involved the confrontation of two blocks of nations: Prussia and Great Britain against France, Austria and her allies, mainly Russia and Spain.

Causes of conflict and fields of action

One of the main reasons that triggered the confrontation was the I long of Austria to conquer the territory of Silesia and the consequent opposition of Prussia. On the other hand, France and Great Britain competed for colonial dominions, such as the territory of present-day India or the American continent.

To the margin territorial interests between nations, it should be noted that the conflict The war was also motivated by religious motives, as there was a latent tension between the British Protestants and the Reformers in the colonial dominions.

The fields of action of the war took place both at sea and on land. France and Great Britain measured their naval forces to

control the commercial routes and, in parallel, Prussia and Austria fought to control the territories that were to the east of present-day Germany.

Consequences of the conflict

The Seven Years' War ended with two agreements, the Treaty of Paris and the Treaty of Huberturgo. Both involved a series of consequences:

1) France ceded colonial territories in America in favor of Great Britain and in return the British ceded to France the dominion of Guadeloupe and Martinique,

2) Spain retained dominance over Florida and regained control of the island of Menorca that was occupied by the British and

3) the British had to evacuate their troops in Cuba and the Philippines, but in general terms they were the victors by imposing their power in North America.

Regardless of the territorial consequences, the Seven Years' War caused an increase in public debt in both France and Great Britain.

Both nations imposed steep tax increases, especially on the British colonies in North America.

With the passage of time, the high taxes caused a deep malaise among the North American colonists and this circumstance was the element that unleashed the independence from the United States a few years later.

Some historians argue that the Seven Years' War was actually the first World War.

Photo: Fotolia - Erica Guilane-Nachez

Issues in Seven Years' War