Seven Years' War (1756–1763). Peter III leads Russia out of the Seven Years' War, abandoning the conquered East Prussia History of the Seven Years' War 1756 1763

In the 18th century, a serious military conflict called the Seven Years' War broke out. The largest European states, including Russia, were involved in it. You can learn about the causes and consequences of this war from our article.

Decisive reasons

The military conflict, which turned into the Seven Years' War of 1756-1763, was not unexpected. It has been brewing for a long time. On the one hand, it was strengthened by the constant clashes of interests between England and France, and on the other, by Austria, which did not want to come to terms with the victory of Prussia in the Silesian Wars. But the confrontations might not have become so large-scale if two new political unions had not formed in Europe - the Anglo-Prussian and the Franco-Austrian. England feared that Prussia would seize Hanover, which belonged to the English king, so it decided on an agreement. The second alliance was the result of the conclusion of the first. Other countries took part in the war under the influence of these states, also pursuing their own goals.

The following are the significant reasons for the Seven Years' War:

Constant competition between England and France, especially for the possession of the Indian and American colonies, intensified in 1755;
Prussia's desire to seize new territories and significantly influence European politics;
Austria's desire to regain Silesia, lost in the last war;
Russia's dissatisfaction with the increased influence of Prussia and plans to take over the eastern part of Prussian lands;
Sweden's thirst to take Pomerania from Prussia.

Rice. 1. Map of the Seven Years' War.

Important events

England was the first to officially announce the start of hostilities against France in May 1756. In August of the same year, Prussia, without warning, attacked Saxony, which was bound by an alliance with Austria and belonged to Poland. The battles unfolded rapidly. Spain joined France, and Austria won over not only France itself, but also Russia, Poland, and Sweden. Thus, France fought on two fronts at once. Battles took place actively both on land and on water. The course of events is reflected in the chronological table on the history of the Seven Years' War:

*date*	*Event that happened*
	England declares war on France
	Naval battle of the English and French fleets near Minorca
	France captured Minorca
August 1756	Prussian attack on Saxony
	The Saxon army surrendered to Prussia
November 1756	France captured Corsica
January 1757	Union Treaty of Russia and Austria
	The defeat of Frederick II in Bohemia
	Treaty between France and Austria at Versailles
	Russia officially entered the war
	Victory of Russian troops at Groß-Jägersdorf
October 1757	French defeat at Rosbach
December 1757	Prussia completely occupied Silesia
beginning 1758	Russia occupied East Prussia, incl. Koenigsberg
August 1758	Bloody Battle of Zorndorf
	Victory of Russian troops at Palzig
August 1759	Battle of Kunersdorf, won by Russia
September 1760	England captured Montreal - France lost Canada completely
August 1761	Convention between France and Spain on the Second Entry into the War
early December 1761	Russian troops captured the Prussian fortress of Kolberg
	Empress of Russia Elizaveta Petrovna died
	England declared war on Spain
	The agreement between Peter ΙΙΙ, who ascended the Russian throne, and Frederick ΙΙ; Sweden signed an agreement with Prussia in Hamburg
	Overthrow of Peter II. Catherine ΙΙ began to rule, breaking the treaty with Prussia
February 1763	Signing of the Paris and Hubertusburg Peace Treaties

After the death of Empress Elizabeth, the new Emperor Peter ΙΙΙ, who supported the policy of the Prussian king, concluded the St. Petersburg Peace and Treaty of Alliance with Prussia in 1762. According to the first, Russia ceased hostilities and renounced all occupied lands, and according to the second, it was supposed to provide military support to the Prussian army.

Rice. 2. Russia's participation in the Seven Years' War.

Consequences of the war

The war was over due to the depletion of military resources in both allied armies, but the advantage was on the side of the Anglo-Prussian coalition. The result of this in 1763 was the signing of the Paris Peace Treaty of England and Portugal with France and Spain, as well as the Treaty of Hubertusburg - Austria and Saxony with Prussia. The concluded agreements summed up the results of military operations:

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France lost a large number of colonies, giving England Canada, part of the Indian lands, East Louisiana, and islands in the Caribbean. Western Louisiana had to be given to Spain, in return for what was promised at the conclusion of the Union of Minorca;
Spain returned Florida to England and ceded Minorca;
England gave Havana to Spain and several important islands to France;
Austria lost its rights to Silesia and neighboring lands. They became part of Prussia;
Russia did not lose or gain any land, but showed Europe its military capabilities, increasing its influence there.

So Prussia became one of the leading European states. England, having supplanted France, became the largest colonial empire.

King Frederick II of Prussia proved himself to be a competent military leader. Unlike other rulers, he personally took charge of the army. In other states, commanders changed quite often and did not have the opportunity to make completely independent decisions.

Rice. 3. King of Prussia Frederick ΙΙ the Great.

What have we learned?

After reading a history article for grade 7, which briefly talks about the Seven Years' War, which lasted from 1756 to 1763, we learned the main facts. We met the main participants: England, Prussia, France, Austria, Russia, and examined important dates, causes and results of the war. We remember under which ruler Russia lost its position in the war.

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The outcome of the war for Austrian inheritance(1740–1748) turned Prussia into a great European power.

Main reasons for the war:

1) aggressive plans of Frederick II to conquer political hegemony in Central Europe and acquire neighboring territories;

2) the clash of Prussia’s aggressive policy with the interests of Austria, France and Russia; they wanted the weakening of Prussia, its return to the borders that existed before the Silesian Wars. Thus, the coalition participants fought the war for the restoration of the old system of political relations on the continent, disrupted by the results of the War of the Austrian Succession;

3) intensification of the Anglo-French struggle for colonies.

Opposing parties:

1) anti-Prussian coalition– Austria, France, Russia, Spain, Saxony, Sweden;

2) Prussian supporters– Great Britain and Portugal.

Frederick II began a preventive war with an attack August 29, 1756 to Saxony, borrowed and ruined it. Thus began the second largest war of the era - Seven Years' War 1756–1763 The victories of the Prussian army of Frederick II in 1757 at Rosbach and Leuthen were nullified by the victory of Russian-Austrian troops in the Battle of Kunersdorf in 1759. Frederick II even intended to abdicate the throne, but the situation changed dramatically due to the death of Empress Elizabeth Petrovna (1762) . Her successor was Peter III, an enthusiastic admirer of Frederick II, who renounced all claims to Prussia. In 1762 he entered into an alliance with Prussia and withdrew from the war. Catherine II terminated it, but resumed the war. The two main conflict lines of the Seven Years' War - colonial And European- the two peace treaties concluded in 1763 also corresponded. On February 15, 1763, the Peace of Hubertusburg was concluded Austria and Saxony with Prussia based on the status quo. The borders of states in Europe remained unchanged. On November 10, 1763, the Peace of Paris was concluded at Versailles. between England, on the one hand, and France and Spain, on the other. The Peace of Paris confirmed all treaties between countries since the Peace of Westphalia. The Peace of Paris, along with the Peace of Hubertusburg, ended the Seven Years' War.

Main results of the war:

1. Great Britain's victory over France, because overseas England took possession of the richest colonies of France and became the largest colonial power.

2. The decline in the prestige and actual role of France in European affairs, which led to its complete neglect in deciding the fate of one of its main satellites – Poland.

In the 50s Prussia becomes Russia's main enemy. The reason for this is the aggressive policy of its king, aimed at the east of Europe.

The Seven Years' War began in 1756 . The conference at the highest court, which under Empress Elizabeth played the role of the Secret, or Military, Council, set the task - “by weakening the king of Prussia, make him fearless and carefree for the local side (for Russia”).

Frederick II in August 1756, without declaring war, attacked Saxony. His army, having defeated the Austrians, captured Dresden and Leipzig. The anti-Prussian coalition is finally taking shape - Austria, France, Russia, Sweden.

In the summer of 1757, the Russian army entered East Prussia. On the way to Königsberg, near the village of Gross-Jägersdorf, the army of Field Marshal S. F. Apraksin met with the army of Field Marshal H. Lewald on August 19 (30), 1757.

The Prussians began the battle. They successively attacked the left flank and center, then the right flank of the Russians. They broke through the center, and a critical situation was created here. The regiments of the division of General Lopukhin, who was killed during the battle, suffered heavy losses and began to retreat. The enemy could break into the rear of the Russian army. But the situation was saved by the four reserve regiments of P. A. Rumyantsev, a young general whose star began to rise in these years. Their swift and sudden attack on the flank of the Prussian infantry led to its panicked flight. The same thing happened in the location of the Russian vanguard and right flank. Fire from cannons and rifles mowed down the ranks of the Prussians. They fled along the entire front, losing more than 3 thousand killed and 5 thousand wounded; Russians - 1.4 thousand killed and more than 5 thousand wounded.

Apraksin won the victory with the help of only part of his army. As a result, the road to Koenigsberg was clear. But the commander took the army to Tilsit, then to Courland and Livonia for winter quarters. The reason for the departure was not only the lack of provisions and mass illnesses among the soldiers, which he wrote to St. Petersburg, but also something else that he kept silent about - the empress fell ill and the accession of Prince Peter Fedorovich, her nephew and supporter of the Prussian king, was expected.

Elizaveta soon recovered, and Apraksin was put on trial. General V.V. Farmer, an Englishman by birth, is appointed commander. He distinguished himself in the wars of the 30s and 40s. with Turkey and Sweden. During the Seven Years' War, his corps took Memel and Tilsit. The general showed himself well with his division in the Battle of Gross-Jägersdorf. Having become the head of the Russian army, in January he occupied Konigsberg, then all of East Prussia. Its residents took an oath to the Russian Empress.

At the beginning of June, Fermor went southwest - to Küstrin, which is eastern Berlin, at the confluence of the Warta River with the Oder. Here, near the village of Zorndorf, a battle took place on August 14 (25). The Russian army numbered 42.5 thousand people, the army of Frederick II - 32.7 thousand. The battle lasted all day and was fierce. Both sides suffered heavy losses. Both the Prussian king and Fermor spoke of their victory, and both withdrew their armies from Zorndorf. The result of the battle was uncertain. The indecisiveness of the Russian commander, his distrust of the soldiers did not allow him to complete the job and win a victory. But the Russian army showed its strength, and Frederick retreated, not daring to fight again with those whom, as he himself admitted, he “could not crush.” Moreover, he feared a disaster, since his army had lost its best soldiers.

Fermor received his resignation on May 8, 1758, but served in the army until the end of the war and showed himself well while commanding corps. He left behind a memory as an efficient, but uninitiative, indecisive commander in chief. Being a military leader of a lower rank, showing courage and management, he distinguished himself in a number of battles.

In his place, unexpectedly for many, including himself, General Pyotr Semenovich Saltykov was appointed. A representative of an old family of Moscow boyars, a relative of the empress (her mother was from the Saltykov family), he began serving as a soldier in Peter's guard in 1714. He lived in France for two decades, studying maritime affairs. But, returning to Russia in the early 30s, he served in the guard and at court. Then he takes part in the Polish campaign (1733) and the Russian-Swedish war; later, during the Seven Years' War - in the capture of Koenigsberg, the Battle of Zorndorf. He became commander-in-chief when he was 61 years old - for that time he was already an old man.

Saltykov had an eccentric, peculiar character. He was somewhat reminiscent of the man who began his military career during these years - he loved the army and soldiers, just like they did him, he was a simple and modest, honest and comical person. He could not stand ceremonies and receptions, splendor and pomp. This “gray-haired, small, simple old man,” as A. T. Bolotov, a famous memoirist and participant in the Seven Years’ War, attests to him, “seemed... like a real chicken”. The capital's politicians laughed at him and recommended that he consult the Farmer and the Austrians in everything. But he, an experienced and decisive general, despite his “simple” kind of made decisions himself, delved into everything. He did not bend his back to the Conference, which constantly interfered in the affairs of the army, believing that it could be controlled from St. Petersburg, thousands of miles from the theater of military operations. His independence and firmness, energy and common sense, caution and hatred of routine, quick intelligence and remarkable composure captivated the soldiers who sincerely loved him.

Having taken command of the army, Saltykov leads it to Frankfurt-on-Oder. On July 12 (23), 1759, he defeats the army of General Wedel at Palzig. Then Frankfurt is captured. Here, near the village of Kunersdorf, on the right bank of the Oder, opposite Frankfurt, on August 1 (12), 1759, a general battle took place. In Saltykov's army there were about 41 thousand Russian soldiers with 200 guns and 18.5 thousand Austrians with 48 guns; in Frederick's army - 48 thousand, 114 heavy guns, regimental artillery. During the fierce battle, success accompanied first one side, then the other. Saltykov skillfully maneuvered the shelves, moving them to the right places and at the right time. The artillery, Russian infantry, Austrian and Russian cavalry performed excellently. At the beginning of the battle, the Prussians pushed back the Russians on the left flank. However, the Prussian infantry attack in the center was repulsed. Here Frederick twice threw his main force into battle - the cavalry of General Seydlitz. But it was destroyed by Russian soldiers. Then the Russians launched a counterattack on the left flank and drove the enemy back. The transition of the entire Allied army to the offensive ended in the complete defeat of Frederick. He himself and the remnants of his army fled in terrible panic from the battlefield. The king was almost captured by the Cossacks. He lost more than 18.5 thousand people, the Russians - more than 13 thousand, the Austrians - about 2 thousand. Berlin was preparing to capitulate, the archives and the king’s family were taken out of it, and he himself, according to rumors, was thinking about suicide.

After brilliant victories, Saltykov received the rank of field marshal. In the future, the intrigues of the Austrians and the distrust of the Conference unsettle him. He fell ill and was replaced by the same Fermor.

During the campaign of 1760, the detachment of General Z. G. Chernyshev occupied Berlin on September 28 (October 9). But the lack of coordination between the actions of the Austrian and Russian armies again and greatly hinders the matter. Berlin had to be abandoned, but the fact of its capture made a strong impression on Europe. At the end of the next year, a 16,000-strong corps under the skillful command of Rumyantsev, with the support of a landing force of sailors led by G. A. Spiridov, captured the Kolberg fortress on the Baltic coast. The path to Stettin and Berlin opened. Prussia stood on the brink of destruction.

Salvation for Frederick came from St. Petersburg - she died on December 25, 1761, and her nephew (the son of the Duke of Goshtinsky and Anna, daughter) Peter III Fedorovich, who replaced her on the throne, concluded a truce on March 5 (16), 1762 with the Prussian monarch he adored. And a month and a half later, he concludes a peace treaty with him - Prussia receives all its lands back. Russia's sacrifices in the seven-year war were in vain.

The Seven Years' War was an all-European war between Prussia and England on one side and a coalition of France, Austria, Poland, Sweden, Russia, and Spain on the other.

Ended with the Treaty of Paris and the Treaty of Hubertsburg. Lasted from 1756 to 1763. The battles of the war took place both on land - in Europe, India and North America, and in the oceans: the Atlantic and Indian.

Causes of the war
Unresolved issues of European politics by the previous war - For the Austrian inheritance of 1740-1748
Lack of freedom of navigation in the seas of the East Indies
The struggle for colonies between France and England
The emergence of a new serious rival on the European stage - Prussia
Prussian capture of Silesia
England's desire to protect its European possessions - Hanover
Russia's desire to dismember Prussia and annex its eastern region
Sweden's desire to gain Pomerania

Mercantile considerations of the parties: France and England hired allies for money

« The main reason for the Seven Years' War was the struggle between England and France for primacy in Europe and, consequently, the world. France, by that time already considered a great power, thanks to the policies of Louis XIV, tried to retain this title, England, whose socio-political system was the most advanced at that time, tried to take it away. The remaining participants, taking advantage of the moment, resolved their narrow national-egoistic issues
Frederick the Great, having learned of this combination, instead of waiting for its development, moved his armies and invaded Saxony, the ruler of which was also the king of Poland. This march-maneuver began the Seven Years' War in October 1756." (A. T. Mahan “The Influence of Sea Power on History” )

Progress of the Seven Years' War

1748, April 30 - Treaty of Aachen, which crowned the War of Austrian Succession
1755, June 8 - Naval battle of the fleets of England and France at the mouth of the St. Lawrence River in Canada
1755, July-August - English warships began a privateering operation against French ships off the coast of Canada
1756, March 25 - Russian-Austrian Union Treaty
1756, April 17 - Blockade of the English island of Minorca in the Mediterranean Sea by the French army and navy
1756, May 1 - Treaty of Versailles alliance between Austria and France
1756, May 17 - England declared war on France
1756, May 20 - Naval battle of the British and French off the island of Minorca
1756, June 20 - France declared war on England
1756, June 28 - Minorca came into possession of France
1756, October - The invasion of the Prussian army of Frederick the Great into Saxony, which belongs to Poland. Beginning of the Seven Years' War
1756, October 4 - Surrender of the Saxon army
1756, November - France conquered Corsica
1757, January 11 - Austro-Russian treaty on each side fielding an 80,000-strong army against Prussia
1757, February 2 - Treaty between Austria and Russia, according to which Russia received 1 million rubles annually for participation in the war
1757, April 25-June 7 - Frederick's unsuccessful campaign in Bohemia
1757, May 1 - Treaty of Versailles between France and Austria, according to which France agreed to pay Austria 12 million florins annually
1757, May - Russia enters the war. For the first time, Russia actively became a participant in European politics
1757 - Prussian troops are defeated by the Russian army at Groß-Jägersdorf
1757, October 25 - Defeat of the French at the Battle of Rosbach
1757, December - Russian offensive in East Prussia
1757, December 30 - Fall of Kenicksberg
1757, December - Prussia captured all of Silesia
1758, July - Siege of the Küstrin fortress, Clue to Brandenburg, by the Russian army
1758, August 1 - Victory of the Russian army in the Battle of Kunersdorf
1758, August 14 - Defeat of the Russian army near Zorndorf
1759, July - Victory of the Russian army at Palzig
1759, August 20 - Destruction of the French Toulon fleet by the English fleet
1759, November 20 - Destruction of the Brest Fleet of France by the English fleet
1760, March 12 - negotiations between Austria and Russia on the acquisition by Russia of the right bank of the Dnieper, which then belonged to Poland, and East Prussia
1760 September 8 - France lost Montreal, ending French control of Canada
1760 -September 28 - The Russian army entered Berlin
1760, February 12 - France lost the island of Martinique in the West Indies
1761, January 16 - Fall of the French fortress of Pondicherry in India
1761, August 15 - Treaty of Friendship between France and Spain with a secret protocol for Spain's entry into the Seven Years' War
1761, September 21 - Spain received a cargo of colonial American gold, allowing it to start a war with England
1761, December - The Russian army took the Prussian fortress of Kolberg (today the city of Kolobrzeg)
1761, December 25 - Death of the Russian Empress Elizaveta Petrovna
1762, January 4 - England declared war on Spain
1762, May 5 - The new Russian emperor concluded an alliance treaty with Frederick, which changed the balance of power in Europe
Peter III was an ardent admirer of Frederick. He not only renounced all conquests in Prussia, but also expressed a desire to help Frederick. Chernyshev's corps was ordered to unite with Frederick for joint offensive actions against Austria
1762, June 8 - Palace coup in Russia. Catherine II ascended the throne, the treaty with Prussia was terminated
1762, August 10 - Spain lost Cuba
1763, February 10 - Treaty of Paris between France and England
1763, February 15 - Treaty of Hubertusburg between Austria, Saxony and Prussia

Results of the Seven Years' War

France lost Canada with all its associated areas, i.e. the Ohio River Valley and the entire left bank of the Mississippi River, with the exception of New Orleans. In addition, she had to give Spain the right bank of the same river and pay a reward for Florida ceded to England by the Spaniards. France was forced to abandon Hindustan, retaining only five cities. Austria lost Silesia forever. Thus, the Seven Years' War in the west put an end to France's overseas possessions, ensured England's complete hegemony on the seas, and in the east marked the beginning of Prussian hegemony in Germany. This predetermined the future unification of Germany under the auspices of Prussia.

“Under the terms of the Peace of Paris, France renounced all claims to Canada, Nova Scotia and all the islands of the Gulf of St. Lawrence; Together with Canada, she ceded the Ohio Valley and all of her territory on the eastern bank of the Mississippi, with the exception of the city of New Orleans. At the same time, Spain, in exchange for Havana, which England returned to her, ceded Florida, by which name all her continental possessions east of the Mississippi were called. Thus, England acquired a colonial state that included Canada from Hudson Bay and all of the present United States east of the Mississippi. The possible benefits of possessing this vast area were only partly foreseen at that time, and at that time nothing predicted the indignation of the thirteen colonies. In the West Indies, England gave back important islands to France, Martinique and Guadeloupe. Four islands from the Lesser Antilles group, called neutral, were divided between two powers: Santa Lucia went to France, and St. Vincent, Tobago and Dominica to England, which also held Grenada. Minorca was returned to England, and since the return of this island to Spain was one of the conditions of its alliance with France, the latter, not being able to fulfill this condition now, ceded Louisiana to Spain, west of the Mississippi. In India, France recovered the possessions it had previously had, but lost the right to erect fortifications or maintain troops in Bengal and thus left the station at Chander Nagore defenseless. In short, France again gained the opportunity to trade in India, but practically abandoned its claims to political influence there. It was understood that the English company retained all its conquests. The right of fishing off the coast of Newfoundland and in the Gulf of St. Lawrence, which France had previously enjoyed, was reserved to it by treaty; but it was not given to Spain, which demanded it for its fishermen" ( Ibid.)

After the Thirty Years' War, the nature of confrontations between countries in the world began to change. Local conflicts gave way to wars of an international nature. For example, this was the Seven Years' War, which began in Europe in 1756. It was an attempt by the Prussian king Frederick II to extend his influence over most of the continent. Prussia’s aspirations were supported by England, and such a powerful “tandem” was opposed by a coalition of four states. These were Austria, Saxony, Sweden, France, which were supported by Russia.

The war lasted until 1763, ending with the signing of a series of peace treaties that influenced the political development of the countries.

Reason and reasons for the war

The official reason for the war was the dissatisfaction of many countries with the results of the redistribution of the “Austrian heritage”. This process lasted eight years, from 1740 to 1748, leaving European states dissatisfied with the new territorial acquisitions. The political and economic situation of that time had a significant influence on the formation of contradictions between England and France, Austria and Prussia. So by the end of the 1750s. Two groups of reasons formed that provoked the beginning of the Seven Years' War:

England and France could not divide their colonial possessions among themselves. Countries constantly competed with each other on this issue, and not only at the political level. There were also armed clashes that claimed the lives of the population in the colonies and soldiers of both armies.
Austria and Prussia argued over Silesia, which was Austria's most developed industrial region, taken from it as a result of the conflict of 1740-1748.

Participants in the confrontation

Prussia, which fueled the fire of war, concluded a coalition agreement with England. This group was opposed by Austria, France, Saxony, Sweden and Russia, which provided significant support to the coalition. Neutrality was occupied by Holland, which participated in the War of the Austrian Succession.

Main fronts of the war

Historians identify three directions in which the enemy’s military actions took place. Firstly, this is the Asian front, where events unfolded in India. Secondly, this is the North American front, where the interests of France and England collided. Thirdly, the European front, on which many military battles took place.

Start of hostilities

Frederick II had been preparing for war for several years. First of all, he increased the number of his own troops and carried out a complete reorganization. As a result, the king received a modern and combat-ready army for that time, whose soldiers made a number of successful conquests. In particular, Silesia was taken away from Austria, which provoked a conflict between the participants of the two coalitions. The ruler of Austria, Maria Theresa, wanted to return the region, so she turned to France, Sweden and Russia for help. The Prussian army could not withstand such a united army, which became the reason for the search for allies. Only England was able to resist both Russia and France at the same time. For its “services” the British government wanted to secure possessions on the mainland.

Prussia was the first to begin hostilities, attacking Saxony, which was strategically important for Frederick the Second:

A springboard for further advance to Austria.
Providing constant supplies of food and water for the Prussian army.
Using the material and economic potential of Saxony to the benefit of Prussia.

Austria tried to repel the attack of the Prussian army, but everything was unsuccessful. No one could stand against Frederick's soldiers. Maria Theresa's army turned out to be unable to hold back Prussia's attacks, so it kept losing in local skirmishes.

Within a short time, Frederick II managed to capture Moravia and Bohemia, briefly entering Prague. The Austrian army began to fight back only in the summer of 1757, when the Austrian military commander Daun, using his entire military reserve, ordered constant shelling of the Prussian army. The consequence of such actions was the surrender of the troops of Frederick the Second and his gradual retreat to the city of Nimburg. In order to preserve the remnants of his army, the king ordered the obligation of Prague to be removed and to return to the border of his own state.

European front 1758-1763: main events and battles

An allied army of almost 300 thousand people opposed the army of the Prussian king. Therefore, Frederick II decided to divide the coalition that fought against her. First, the French, who were in the principalities neighboring Austria, were defeated. This allowed Prussia to invade Silesia again.

Strategically, Frederick II was several steps ahead of his enemies. He managed to bring chaos into the ranks of the army of the French, Lorraine and Austrians with deceptive attacks. Thanks to a well-planned operation, Silesia came under Prussian rule in the second.

In the summer of 1757, Russian troops began to actively take part in the war, trying to capture the eastern regions of the Prussian state through Lithuania. By August of the same year, it became clear that Frederick the Second would lose the battle for Königsberg and East Prussia. But Russian General Apraksin refused to continue military operations, citing the fact that the army was at a disadvantage. As a result of a successful campaign, the Russian army retained only the port of Memel, where the base of the fleet of the Russian Empire was located for the entire period of the war.

During 1758-1763 Many battles took place, the main ones being:

1758 - East Prussia and Königsberg are retaken from the Russians, the decisive battle took place near the village of Zorndorf.
The battle near the village of Kunersdorf, where a major battle between the Prussian army and the united Russian-Astrian army took place. After the battle, only three thousand soldiers remained from the 48 thousand army of Frederick the Second, with whom the king was forced to retreat across the Oder River. Another part of the Prussian military personnel were scattered across neighboring settlements. It took the king and his commanders several days to get them back into action. The allies did not pursue the army of Frederick II, since the casualties were tens of thousands, many soldiers were wounded and went missing. After the Battle of Kunersdorf, Russian troops redeployed to Silesia, which helped the Austrians drive out the Prussian army.
In 1760-1761 There were practically no military operations; the nature of the war can be described as inactive. Even the fact that Russian troops temporarily occupied Berlin in 1760, but then surrendered it without a fight, did not cause an intensification of hostilities. The city was returned back to Prussia because it was of strategic importance.
In 1762, Peter the Third ascended to the Russian throne and replaced Elizaveta Petrovna. This radically affected the further course of the war. The Russian emperor worshiped the military genius of Frederick the Second, so he signed a peace treaty with him. At this time, England destroyed the French fleet, taking it out of the war. Peter the Third was killed in July 1762 on the orders of his wife, after which Russia returned to the war again, but did not continue it. Catherine the Second did not want to allow Austria to strengthen in Central Europe.
February 1763 The Austro-Prussian peace treaty was signed.

North American and Asian fronts

In North America, confrontations took place between England and France, which could not divide the spheres of influence in Canada. The French did not want to lose their possessions in this part of the North American continent, so they in every possible way strained relations with the British. Numerous Indian tribes who tried to survive in the undeclared war were also drawn into the confrontation.

The battle that finally put everything in its place took place in 1759 near Quebec. After this, the French finally lost their colonies in North America.

A clash of interests between the two countries also occurred in Asia, where Bengal rebelled against the British. This happened in 1757, at the very beginning of the Seven Years' War. France, to which Bengal was subject, declared neutrality. But this did not stop the British; they began to attack French outposts more and more often.

The war on several fronts and the lack of a strong army in Asia led to the fact that the government of this country was unable to adequately organize the defense of its Asian possessions. The British hastened to take advantage of this by landing their troops on the island of Martinique. It was the center of French trade in the West Indies, and as a result of the Seven Years' War, Martinique was ceded to Britain.

The results of the confrontation between England and France were enshrined in a peace treaty, which was signed in early February 1762 in Paris.

Results of the war

In fact, the war stopped in 1760, but local confrontations continued for almost three more years. Peace treaties between the countries were signed in 1762 and 1763, and on their basis the system of relations in Europe was then created after the Seven Years' War. The results of this conflict changed, once again, changed the political map of Europe, slightly adjusting the borders and reformatting the balance of power in the second half of the 18th century. in international relations.

The main consequences of the war include:

The redistribution of colonial possessions in Europe, which caused a redistribution of spheres of influence between England and France.
England became the largest colonial empire in Europe, thanks to the displacement of France from Northern Europe and Europe.
France in Europe lost many territories, which caused a weakening of the state's position in Europe.
In France, during the Seven Years' War, the prerequisites for the start of the revolution gradually took shape, which began in 1848.
Prussia formalized its claims to Austria in the form of a peace treaty, under the terms of which Silesia, like neighboring territories, came under the rule of Frederick the Second.
Territorial contradictions in Central Europe have intensified.
Russia has gained invaluable experience in conducting military operations in Europe against the leading states of the continent.
A galaxy of outstanding commanders was formed in Europe, who then began to bring victories to their states.
Russia did not receive any territorial gains, but its position in Europe became stronger and stronger.
A large number of people died. According to average estimates, about two million military personnel could have died in the Seven Years' War.
In the British colonies in North America, taxes were increased several times to pay for military expenses. This caused resistance from the colonists, who in Canada and the North American states tried to develop industry, build roads, and invest money in the economy of the colonies. As a result, the preconditions began to take shape for the struggle against British rule on the continent.
The Asian colonies of France became the property of the British monarchy.

The victory of Prussia in the Seven Years' War could not have been predicted by the talented commanders of that time. Yes, Frederick II was a brilliant strategist and tactician, but his army was on the verge of complete defeat many times. Historians believe that a number of factors prevented the final defeat of the Prussian army:

The allied coalition created against Prussia was not effective. Each country defended its own interests, which prevented it from uniting at the right moment and acting as a single force against the enemy.
Strong Prussia was a beneficial ally for Russia, England, and France, so the states agreed to the seizure of Silesia and Austria.

Thanks to this, the consequences of the Seven Years' War had a serious impact on the situation in Europe. A strong Prussian state arose in the central part of the continent, with centralized power. Thus, Frederick the Second managed to overcome the separatism of individual principalities, get rid of fragmentation within the country, focusing on the unity of the German lands. Prussia subsequently became the central core of the formation of a state such as Germany.