The diplomatic revolution and the prelude to the French and Indian War Britain’s alliance with Prussia was undertaken partly in order to protect electoral Hanover, the British ruling dynasty’s Continental possession, from the threat of a French takeover. With that in mind, the Seven Years’ War can also be seen as the European phase of a worldwide nine years’ war fought between France and Great Britain. But the Seven Years’ War also involved overseas colonial struggles between Great Britain and France, the main points of contention between those two traditional rivals being the struggle for control of North America (the French and Indian War 1754–63) and India.

The war arose out of the attempt of the Austrian Habsburgs to win back the rich province of Silesia, which had been wrested from them by Frederick II (the Great) of Prussia during the War of the Austrian Succession (1740–48). Generally, France, Austria, Saxony, Sweden, and Russia were aligned on one side against Prussia, Hanover, and Great Britain on the other. Seven Years’ War, (1756–63), the last major conflict before the French Revolution to involve all the great powers of Europe. The treaties that ended the Seven Years' War were the Treaty of Paris signed on February 10, 1763, between Great Britain, Hanover, France, and Spain, with Portugal expressly understood to be included, and the Treaty of Hubertusburg, signed on February 15, 1763, which was between Austria, Prussia, and Saxony. Britannica Explains In these videos, Britannica explains a variety of topics and answers frequently asked questions.This Time in History In these videos, find out what happened this month (or any month!) in history.#WTFact Videos In #WTFact Britannica shares some of the most bizarre facts we can find.Demystified Videos In Demystified, Britannica has all the answers to your burning questions.Britannica Classics Check out these retro videos from Encyclopedia Britannica’s archives.

The 7 hour war