Maintaining the Balance of Power in Europe: The Seven Years War
Overview
Maintaining the Balance of Power in Europe: The Seven Years War
The Seven Years' War is often nicknamed, "The First World War." For though it proceeded World War I by more than a century, it involved many of the world's strongest empires and was fought around the world.
Learning Objectives
- Analyze the global impact of the Seven Years’ War.
Key Terms / Key Concepts
Seven Years’ War: the official name of the eighteenth-century war fought between all of the major European powers, all over the world
Jumonville Glen: forested area about an hour south of Pittsburg, PA where the official start of the “French and Indian War” began
French and Indian War: nine-year conflict in North America between the French, English, and their respective Native American allies
Treaty of Paris (1763): peace treaty which ends the Seven Years’ War
A Global Conflict: The Seven Years’ War
The Seven Years’ War was fought between 1756 and 1763. It involved every European great power of the time except the Ottoman Empire and spanned five continents, as well as affected Europe, the Americas, West Africa, India, and the Philippines.
The Seven Years’ War: Opponents at War
Although technically fought for nine years, the Seven Years' War was primarily fought in Europe from 1756 to 1763. The war split Europe into two sides. The first, led by Great Britain and its allies—primarily Prussia under Frederick the Great and the German electorate of Hanover. The second by France and its allies—primarily Sweden, Russia, Austria, and the German principality of Saxony.
Opening Chapter: The French and Indian War
On May 28, 1754, a young major from Virginia named George Washington led a small group of English soldiers and Seneca Indians to a remote part of the Pennsylvania frontier. French soldiers had positioned themselves close to the English colony, which was too close for the comfort of the Virginia governor. Washington was ordered to negotiate the French withdrawal. The small group of French soldiers were encamped in a clearing in the Pennsylvania woods, known now as Jumonville Glen, just south of present-day Pittsburg. There, Washington’s soldiers and Seneca allies quickly encircled the French. A skirmish erupted between the French and Washington, with his Seneca allies. Specific details of the events remain contested. However, at the end of the skirmish, over twenty Frenchmen were killed, many of them having previously surrendered. Washington, confused and uncertain about what had occurred, beat a hasty retreat to the English fort: Fort Necessity. Eighteenth-century English politician and writer Horace Walpole later said of Washington’s actions, “The volley fired by a young Virginian in the backwoods of America set the world on fire.”
The Jumonville Glen massacre, as it is now remembered, was the opening act in both the French and Indian War in North America and the world conflict fought globally between the English and French throughout their empires: the Seven Years’ War.
For the subsequent nine years (1754 – 1763), the French and Indian War, so named by the English, was fought up and down the American frontier and in parts of eastern Canada. Caught in the middle of the conflict were the Native Americans who often felt they must choose to militarily ally with either the French or English.
The war initially favored the French, who had stronger Native American alliances, better organization, and more prepared military leaders. With the capture of Quebec and the French port-city Louisbourg in Newfoundland, the French capitulated. The English had won against the North American conflict. But war against France still waged around the world.
Europe
Two years after the French and Indian War began in North America, war erupted in Europe over territorial disputes. Primarily, the European conflict raged between the Austrian Hapsburgs and the Prussians under Frederick the Great. Each side was supported by a complex system of alliances. In the end, the sweeping battles that occurred across Western and Central Europe were costly in terms of finances and human lives, but mostly indecisive.
South America
In the Fantastic War (1762 – 63) in South America, Spanish forces conquered the Portuguese territories of Colonia del Sacramento and Rio Grande de São Pedro. They forced the Portuguese to surrender and retreat. Under the Treaty of Paris (1763), Spain had to return the colony of Sacramento to Portugal.
India
In India, the outbreak of the war in Europe renewed the long-running conflict between the French and the British trading companies for influence. The war spread beyond Southern India and into Bengal, eventually eliminating French power in India.
West Africa
In West Africa in 1758, the British captured Senegal and brought home large amounts of captured goods. This success convinced the British to launch two further expeditions to take the island of Gorée and the French trading post on the Gambia. The loss of these valuable colonies further weakened the French economy.
The Treaty of Paris (1763)
The Treaty of Paris was signed on February 10, 1763 by the kingdoms of England, France, and Spain, as well as with Portugal in agreement after Great Britain’s victory over France and Spain during the Seven Years’ War. The signing of the treaty formally ended the Seven Years’ War and marked the beginning of British dominance outside Europe. The treaty did not involve Prussia and Austria, as they signed a separate agreement five days later: the Treaty of Hubertusburg.
Attributions
Images courtesy of Wikimedia Commons
Boundless World History
"The Seven Years War"
https://courses.lumenlearning.com/boundless-worldhistory/chapter/the-seven-years-war/
"The War of Spanish Succession"
https://courses.lumenlearning.com/boundless-worldhistory/chapter/war-of-spanish-succession/