The Seven Years’ War was a very big war with a lot historical significance. It was one of the first wars that involved most of the world, including North America, Europe, Africa and Asia.

During the time before the war, Great Britain, Spain, and France held a lot of land in North America. The Spanish owned land near Mexico and Florida, the French claimed much of the Midwest, and Britain claimed the eastern coastline from Canada to the Spanish border in Florida.

The British settlers started settling land further and further west, nearer and nearer to French Territory. The Brits sent a message to the French telling them to get out, or there would be a battle.

Washington got a message from one of his Native American allies telling him that the French camp was less than five miles away, near a small gully and meadow. He didn’t know what the French were planning, so he decided to take forty men out at night to check the camp. They moved in around the camp. Strangely, the French only had one person guarding the camp.

Suddenly, at 7:00 in the morning, someone fired a shot. Chaos broke out and the French fled, and ran into Tanacharison, Washington’s ally, with lots of natives armed with tomahawks. The whole battle lasted only about 15 minutes, and ten French soldiers were killed. This battle was later called the Battle of Jumonville Glen, and was the start of the hostilities between the French and the British. This led to tension in Europe and the start of the Seven Years’ War.

Great Britain, Prussia, and Hanover fought against France, Russia, Sweden, Austria and Saxony. It has been called the first world war because it was fought over many continents. In May 1756, Britain officialy declared war on the French. Frederick II of Prussia wanted to defeat Austria before France and Russia could prepare. Prussia seized the capital and forced a surrender from the Austrians. Prussia moved into Bohemia, but they retreated after they could not win. Now Prussia was being attacked from all around!

The French quickly targeted the army of Hanover, who quickly surrendered. Britain tried to keep the French distracted by attacking their coastline, while Prussia was beating back the Swedes.

The British ignored the defeat of the Hanoverian army and kept trying to keep the French away. They won the battle of Minden in 1759, but Frederick kept needing more reinforcements for his Prussian army. Frederick attacked Austria and lost, he fought a draw against the Russians, and was beaten again by the Austrians. By now Prussia was becoming weak. Austria had spent a lot of mony and was not in a good position, but as Frederick suffered more losses, Prussia looked doomed.

Luckily for Frederick, the Tsarina of Russia who was against prussians died and was succeded by Tsar Peter III. He made peace with the Prussians and by now, everyone involved in the war was getting very tired and short on funds.

So the Treaty of Paris was formed and it returned things to the state before the war. Britian emerged from the war the largest power in the world, while Prussia lost 10% of its population. The war created a shift from Spain and Holland dominant, to Russia and Great Britain.