The Seven Years' War (1756-1763) got its name from its length in time. This was the largest conflict of the 18th century. It happened not only...

Causes and results of the Seven Years' War. The main battles of the Seven Years' War of 1756-1763

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29.04.2018 16:00

The Seven Years' War (1756-1763) got its name from its length in time. This was the largest conflict of the 18th century. It took place not only in Europe, but also in North America, India, and the Caribbean. At one time, Churchill called it the “First World War.” In history, this conflict is referred to as the third Silesian, Pomeranian, Carnatic, French-Indian, and Recent War.

Causes

The main reasons for the Seven Years' War were hidden behind the confrontation between world powers over colonies in North America. Military clashes there began two years before the declaration of war. The main rivals were England and France. Colonists from these countries started an armed conflict. Allied Indians also took part in it. Another reason was the strengthening of Prussia in Europe. Many developed countries did not like this.

Other countries joined coalitions for their own benefit:

• Austria wanted to return Silesia.
• Prussia hoped to capture Saxony.
• Sweden sought to reconquer Stettin and a number of other lands.
• Russia fought for East Prussia.

Countries united in coalitions. One included England, Prussia, Hanover, the other - France, Austria, Russia, Spain. This was quite unusual, since France and Austria had been fighting each other for hegemony in Europe for a long time.

Opponents

The main states that participated in the Seven Years' War (opponents) and their commanders-in-chief:

• Prussia was ruled by Frederick II. He was the emperor and commander-in-chief rolled into one, so he didn't have to answer to anyone.
• England - King George II was the king.
• Austria - Maria Theresa was at the head of the state, Karl Alexander was appointed commander. But after the unsuccessful Battle of Leuthen, he resigned and command passed to Leopold Joseph.
• Russia - Elizaveta Petrovna ruled the country, the commander-in-chief was first Apraksin, he was replaced by Fermor, then Saltykov and Buturlin. They were subordinate to the St. Petersburg Conference. Later Peter the Third became emperor.
• France - Louis the Fifteenth was the emperor, commanders replaced each other as a result of intrigues and frequent defeats. Le Tellier was appointed first, then Richelieu, de Bourbon-Condé, Erasmus, Victor-François, de Rogan.

Invasion of Saxony

Officially, the Seven Years' War (1756-1763) began with the Prussian invasion of Saxony. Frederick II entered its territory on August 28, 1756. A couple of days later, Russia declared war on Prussia.

The thirty-three thousand army of Austria came to the aid of Saxony. But she was broken. Saxony had only eighteen thousand soldiers. They could not resist the two hundred thousand Prussian army, so they capitulated. Frederick II forced the Saxons into his army, and in vain. Throughout the war they ran over to the enemy in battalions.

It was important for Frederick the Second to capture these lands in order to transfer the fighting to the enemy’s side. He was also able to use the human and material resources of wealthy Saxony.

Major battles in Europe

During such a long period of the war, many battles were fought. Main battles of the Seven Years' War:

• Under Colin - took place on June 18, 1757. The battle lasted six hours. Austria had fifty-four thousand troops, and Prussia had thirty-five thousand. Frederick II was intoxicated by success, but miscalculated his strength and lost.
• Under Leuthen - happened on December 5, 1757. Thirty-two thousand soldiers came from Prussia, and Austria had eighty thousand soldiers. Despite this numerical superiority, the army under the command of Prince Charles Alexander lost.
• Under Rosbach - took place on November 5, 1757. French troops of forty-three thousand people were unable to invade Prussia, because they were defeated by twenty-two thousand soldiers of Frederick the Second.
• Zorndorf - occurred on August 25, 1758. Russian forces (forty-two thousand soldiers) clashed with Frederick the Second (thirty-three thousand). The battle was bloody. Russian troops lost sixteen thousand, and Prussian troops lost eleven thousand. The battle ended in nothing.
• Kunersdorf - took place on August 12, 1759. Frederick II with thirty-five thousand troops opposed forty-one thousand Russian soldiers under the command of Semenovich. The Prussian army was defeated.
• Under Torgai - happened on November 3, 1760. It is considered the last major battle of the war. The forces of Prussia (forty-four thousand) and Austria (fifty-three thousand) collided. The losses of both sides were colossal - sixteen thousand soldiers on each side. Victory was for Frederick the Second.

Having lost a significant part of his army in battles, the Prussian ruler began to protect it from bloody battles. The war continued for another three years, but everything was limited to maneuvers and marches. The main battles of the Seven Years' War were fought only in the first years.

North American Front

Events in North America began back in 1754, when a skirmish occurred at Great Meadows between colonists from England and France. At first the French lost ground, but united with the Indians and were able to win the Battle of Monongahela in 1755. After a series of battles on May 17, 1756, England declared war on Louis the Fifteenth.

The decisive battle took place in 1759 near Quebec. The French outnumbered the British. The difference was four thousand soldiers. However, the English subjects were better prepared and won. Quebec was taken, and a year later Montreal was captured. The result of the Seven Years' War was the ousting of the French from Canada.

Asian front

In 1757, the British and French captured land from each other in Bengal and India. There was also a struggle for dominance in the Indian Ocean between the two fleets. In 1759, French ships left the Indian coast.

The ground forces of Louis the Fifteenth were also not up to par. In 1760 they were defeated at Vandivash, and a year later the British achieved the surrender of the enemy from the capital of French India. Such results of the Seven Years' War suited George II quite well.

The British carried out military operations in the Philippines in 1762 against Spain. However, they could not stay there for long and in 1765 they completed the evacuation from the islands. The result of the Seven Years' War in the Philippines was the impetus for new anti-Spanish uprisings of the local population. However, they cannot be called successful. The Philippines remained under Spanish rule until 1898, when it was ceded to the United States.

Losses

Losses among the warring states:

• Austria - four hundred thousand soldiers;
• Prussia - about two hundred thousand;
• France - up to two hundred thousand;
• Russia – about one hundred and forty thousand;
• England - twenty thousand.

No one can name the number of indigenous people killed in North America, India and other colonies for which the war was fought. What were the results of the Seven Years' War? Were they worth such sacrifices? Did the war resolve the contradictions between the strongest powers of Europe at that time?

Results of the Seven Years' War

Four peace treaties were signed between the warring countries. Each of them had its own characteristics:

• Petersburg - it was already signed by Peter the Third. According to the agreement, Russia withdrew from the conflict and voluntarily transferred its lands to Prussia, which were occupied by Russian soldiers. Subsequently, these actions of Peter the Third became one of the reasons for the coup and the accession to the throne of Catherine the Second.
• Hamburg - concluded between Sweden and Prussia. Peace was established on the terms of the withdrawal of Swedish troops from the occupied territories. The parties released prisoners without ransom.
• The Paris Agreement was concluded by four states at once. England and Portugal negotiated with France and Spain. Louis the Fifteenth renounced Canada, Nova Scotia, the Gulf of St. Lawrence Islands, and the Ohio Valley. Spain received Havana from England, but ceded Florida. England received Puerto Rico, Minorca was returned to her, but she gave Martinique and Guadeloupe to France. Spain received Louisiana, but undertook to withdraw troops from Portugal. France had to leave Hanover, Senegal. The state of Louis XV was allowed to engage in fishing near Newfoundland, in the Gulf of St. Lawrence.
• Hubertusburg - ended the war. Was signed between Austria, Prussia, Saxony. Maria Theresa renounced Silesia and Graudenz, and Frederick II did not demand compensation for damages. Troops were withdrawn from foreign lands, prisoners of war were freed or demobilized. By secret agreement, Prussia was going to vote for the son of Maria Theresa in the election of the head of the Holy Roman Empire.

Many contemporaries were perplexed about the peace treaty between European states. So much blood was shed, and as a result, the pre-war status quo was restored. However, this is not quite true.

Most people, even those who are interested in history, do not attach much importance to the military conflict called the “Seven Years' War” (1756-1763). But this was the largest conflict, the battles of which were fought not only in Europe, but also in Asia and America. Winston Churchill even called it “the First World War.”

The causes of the war were related to the conflict between Austria and Prussia over the historical region called Silesia. It would seem nothing special, an ordinary local war, but it should be taken into account that Prussia was supported by Great Britain in the conflict, and Austria by Russia and France. The statement of Frederick II, who called his rivals “The Union of Three Women”, has remained in history - i.e. Russian Empress Elizaveta Petrovna, Austrian Maria Theresa and French Madame Pompadour.

It was in this war that the military genius of Friedrich II, a commander who was an idol for Adolf Hitler, manifested itself. It is curious that the underlying causes of both the Seven Years' War and the Second World War were the ambitions of the Germans on the political map of Europe.

The first phase of the war (1756-1757) was marked by the successes of the Prussian army, which captured some provinces of Austria. However, the entry of France and Russia stopped Prussia's offensive fervor. Russian troops showed themselves brilliantly in the battle of Gross-Jägersdorf.

Main events of the Seven Years' War

The bloodiest battle of the Seven Years' War, Zorndorf, dates back to 1758. Russia and Prussia lost more than 10 thousand soldiers in this battle, and neither side emerged as the sole winner of the battle.

Subsequently, the heroism of Russian soldiers allowed them to win a number of high-profile victories, including the battle of Kunersdorf. Even then, in 1759, for the first time in their history, the Russians could occupy Berlin, but this happened, due to a lack of organization, only a year later, in 1760. Although not for long, the Russians first came to Berlin 185 years before the legendary May days of 1945...

Frederick II proved himself to be a great commander, he defended himself as best he could, he even managed to recapture Saxony from the Austrians in 1760 and resist powerful rivals. Frederick was saved by what would later be called in history the “miracle of the House of Brandeburg.” Suddenly, the Russian Empress Elizaveta Petrovna dies, and Peter 3, who was an admirer of Frederick and everything Prussian, comes to power. The situation turns upside down: in May 1762, Russia concludes a peace treaty with Prussia and returns all its conquests in East Prussia to it. It is curious that in the spring of 1945, Adolf Hitler hoped that the “miracle of the Brandeburg House” would happen again...

Friedrich 2

The war ended in 1763 due to the complete exhaustion of the parties. Prussia retained Silesia and entered the circle of leading European powers. The Russians once again showed themselves to be magnificent soldiers who, alas, received nothing from this war, but many do not remember the most important result of this war.

As mentioned at the beginning of the article, Great Britain participated in the war. The theater of war for her was the American continent, where the British won a resounding victory, taking Canada from the French in 1759.

Moreover, the British ousted the French from India, where the British fleet once again showed its best side, and then victories were won over France on land.

Thus, “under the guise” of redrawing the map of Europe, Great Britain established itself as the largest colonial power during the Seven Years’ War, which laid the foundation for its power for a couple of centuries.

In memory of that war in Russia, only a small paragraph remains in school history textbooks, but it’s a pity - as we see, the story about the Seven Years’ War deserves much more.

Seven Years' War 1756 - 1763 - received a variety of definitions in historical science. So Winston Churchill called it the forerunner of the First World War, for Austria it was the Third Silesian, the Swedes called it Pomeranian, in Canada - the Third Carnatic. It was a global conflict that covered various corners of the planet; many European states essentially fought in it. How Russia got involved in this war, and what role it played, read in this article.

Causes

In short, the causes of this war are colonial in nature. Colonial tensions existed between France and England mainly in North America, and because of the possessions of the English king on the continent. Also, Prussia and Austria competed for disputed territories. So, during the first two wars for Silesia, Prussia was able to chop off these lands for itself, which almost doubled its population.

Prussia, led by King Frederick II, after several centuries of fragmentation, began to lay claim to hegemony in Europe. Many people didn't like it. However, in the forerunner of the Seven Years' War, we can observe such a historical phenomenon as a coup of coalitions. This is when a seemingly understandable coalition falls apart and a new one is formed.

King of Prussia Frederick the Second the Great. Reign 1740 - 1786

It all happened like this. For Russia, Austria and England were long-time allies. And Russia opposed the strengthening of Prussia. Prussia was blockaded with France and England against Austria. King Frederick II asked England to influence Russia, of course, so as not to fight on two fronts. To this end, Prussia promised that it would protect English possessions on the continent in exchange for money.

A turning point that no one expected was the conclusion of a non-aggression treaty between England and Prussia. This caused a strong reaction in France, Austria and Russia. Ultimately, the following coalitions were formed: Austria, France, Russia and Saxony on the one hand, and Prussia and England on the other.

Thus, Russia was drawn into the Seven Years' War due to its own desires to stop the growth of Prussian influence in Europe. Schematically, this can be indicated as follows:

Progress of the battles

You should know that throughout the entire 18th century, the Russian army never suffered a single defeat! In the Seven Years' War she had no luck except with the commanders-in-chief. These were the main events and battles.

Field Marshal Stepan Fedorovich Apraksin

One of the key battles took place between Prussia and Russia in July 1757. The commander of the Russian troops was S.F. Apraksin, who did not particularly hide the fact that the Prussian king was his idol! As a result, despite the fact that the campaign began in May, the troops crossed the Prussian border only in July. The Prussians attacked and overtook the Russian army right on the march! Usually an attack on the march means victory for the attacker. But it was not there. Despite the complete lack of command on the part of Apraksin, the Russian army overthrew the Prussians. The battle ended in a decisive victory! Saltykov was tried and removed from command.

Count, General-in-Chief Willim Villimovich Fermor

The next major battle took place in 1958. The place of commander-in-chief of the Russian army was taken by V.V. Fermor. The battle between Russian and Prussian troops took place near the village of Zorndorf. Despite the fact that the commander fled from the battlefield altogether, the Russian army completely defeated the Prussians!

Field Marshal Pyotr Semenovich Saltykov

The last serious battle between the Russian and Prussian armies took place on August 12, 1759. The place of commander was taken by General P.S. Saltykov. The armies went head-to-head. Frederick decided to use the so-called oblique attack, when one of the attacking flanks is strongly strengthened and, as it were, sweeps away the enemy’s opposite flank obliquely, crashing into the main forces. The calculation is that the overturned flank will disorient the remaining troops and the initiative will be seized. But the Russian officers did not care what kind of attack Friedrich used. They still broke it!

Map of Russia's participation in the Seven Years' War

Miracle of the Brandenburg House - results

When the Kolberg fortress then fell, Frederick II was in real shock. He didn't know what to do. Several times the king tried to abdicate the throne, even tried to commit suicide. But at the end of 1761, the incredible happened. Elizaveta Petrovna died and ascended the throne.

The new Russian emperor signed the Treaty of St. Petersburg with Frederick, in which he completely renounced all Russian conquests in Prussia, including Königsberg. Moreover, Prussia was provided with a Russian corps for the war with Austria, Russia’s former ally!

Otherwise, it would be quite possible to count on the fact that Koenigsberg would become part of Russia in the 18th century, and not in 1945.

In fairness, it is worth saying how this war ended for the other warring parties, what were its results.

The Peace of Paris was concluded between England and France, according to which France ceded Canada and other lands in North America to England.

Prussia made peace with Austria and Silesia, which was called Hubertusburg. Prussia received disputed Silesia and the County of Glatz.

Best regards, Andrey Puchkov

Believing the oaths of a traitor is the same as believing the piety of the devil

Elizabeth 1

The fifties of the 18th century brought changes in the political situation in Europe. Austria has lost its position. England and France were in a state of conflict in the struggle for dominance on the American continent. The German army developed at a rapid pace and was considered invincible in Europe.

Causes of the war

By 1756, two coalitions had emerged in Europe. As mentioned above, England and France determined who would dominate the American continent. The British secured the support of the Germans. The French won over Austria, Saxony and Russia.

The course of the war - the basis of the event

The war was started by the German king Frederick II. He struck Saxony and in August 1756 completely destroyed its army. Russia, fulfilling its allied duty, sends an army led by General Apraksin to help. The Russians were given the task of capturing Konigsberg, which was guarded by a forty thousand-strong German army. A major battle between the Russian and German armies took place near the village of Gross-Jägersdorf. On August 19, 1757, the Russians defeated the German troops, forcing them to flee. The myth of the invincibility of the German army was dispelled. A key role in this victory was played by P.A. Rumyantsev, who connected reserves in time and dealt a terrible blow to the Germans. The commander of the Russian army, Apraksin S.F., knowing that Empress Elizabeth was sick and her heir Peter sympathized with the Germans, ordered the Russian army not to pursue the Germans. This step allowed the Germans to calmly retreat and quickly gather their strength again.

Empress Elizabeth recovered and removed Apraksin from command of the army. Seven Years' War 1757-1762 continued. Fermor V.V. began to control the Russian army. Soon after his appointment, in 1757 Fermor took possession of Koenisberg. Empress Elizabeth was pleased with this conquest and in January 1578 signed a decree according to which the lands of East Prussia were transferred to Russia.

In 1758, a new major battle took place between the Russian and German armies. It happened near the village of Zorndorf. The Germans attacked fiercely, they had the advantage. Fermor shamefully fled from the battlefield, but the Russian army survived, again defeating the Germans.

In 1759, P.S. Saltykov was appointed commander of the Russian army, who in the first year inflicted a severe defeat on the Germans near Kunersdorf. After this, the Russian army continued its advance to the west and captured Berlin in September 1760. In 1761, the large German fortress of Kolberg fell.

End of hostilities

Allied troops did not help either Russia or Prussia. Drawn into this war by France on the one hand and England on the other, the Russians and Germans exterminated each other while the British and French decided on their world domination.

After the fall of Kohlberg, the Prussian king Frederick II was in despair. German history says that he tried to abdicate the throne several times. There are cases when at the same time Frederick II tried to commit suicide. When it seemed that the situation was hopeless, the unexpected happened. Elizabeth died in Russia. Her successor was Peter 3, married to a German princess and with a love for everything German. This emperor shamefully signed an alliance treaty with Prussia, as a result of which Russia received absolutely nothing. For seven years, Russians shed blood in Europe, but this did not produce any results for the country. The traitor emperor, as Peter 3 was called in the Russian army, saved Germany from destruction by signing an alliance. For this he paid with his life.

An alliance treaty with Prussia was signed in 1761. After Catherine 2 came to power in 1762, this agreement was terminated, however, the empress did not risk sending Russian troops to Europe again.

Key events:

• 1756 - Defeat of France by England. The beginning of Russia's war against Prussia.
• 1757 - Russian victory in the battle of Groß-Jägersdorf. Prussian victory in France and Austria at Rosbach.
• 1758 - Russian troops took Konigsberg
• 1759 - Victory of the Russian army in the battle of Kunersdorf
• 1760 - Capture of Berlin by the Russian army
• 1761 - Victory in the battle of Kolberg fortress
• 1762 - Peace Treaty between Prussia and Russia. Return to Frederick 2 of all lands lost during the war
• 1763 - The Seven Years' War ended

The armed conflict between France and England and Austria and Prussia in 1756–1763 went down in history as the “Seven Years’ War.” Irreconcilable rivals also pulled other states into it. Our article talks about Russia's participation in this war.

The beginning of the war for Russia

In 1756, the transformations begun by Empress Elizabeth continued in the Russian army. They concerned both the formation of the troops themselves, the principles of combat, and the supply system for everything necessary. Therefore, the army began the new military campaign in 1757 with little confidence.

Since Russian troops acted on the side of Austria in the Seven Years' War, it was no longer possible to postpone participation until a later date. Prussia strengthened its position by capturing Saxony, and quite successfully repelled the attacks of the French and Austrian armies.

Rice. 1. Russian soldiers of the 18th century.

General Apraksin, who was appointed commander, decided to take active action only in July 1757. Russian troops crossed the Prussian border and were able to win a victory near Gross-Jägersdorf. But, instead of consolidating the success, the general gave the order to retreat. For which he was stripped of his rank and sent to Russia under arrest.

Apraksin suffered due to his excessive forethought. Knowing about the serious illness of the empress, he expected the imminent rise to power of Peter the Great, who considered Prussia a more advantageous ally. But Elizaveta Petrovna continued to rule.

Rice. 2. Field Marshal Stepan Fedorovich Apraksin.

Participation and results

Russia has had three more commanders-in-chief: Fermor, Saltykov, Buturlin. Continuing the reorganization of the army, they managed to achieve serious results. Russian troops took part in such important battles:

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• Zorndorf in August 1758 : heavy losses of both armies;
• At Palzig in July 1759 : defeat of the Prussian army;
• Kunersdorf in August 1759 : victory of Russian-Austrian troops;
• Near Berlin in October 1760 : Russian capture of Berlin, at that time the capital of Prussia;
• Near Kolberg in the autumn of 1761 : surrender of Prussian troops.

This was the last victory of Russia in the Seven Years' War. After the death of Empress Elizabeth (December 1761), Peter the Great, who ascended the throne in 1762, stopped military operations against Prussia.

The results of the war for Russia were ambiguous. On the one hand, she signed an unfavorable peace treaty with Prussia (1762), according to which she voluntarily renounced all the captured territories, without recouping the costs of participating in the battles. On the other hand, Russian troops gained invaluable experience in conducting military operations in new conditions.

It was during the Seven Years' War that the Russian army first found itself in Berlin, occupying it with minimal losses. At that time, this achievement brought only financial benefits to Russia. Later its historical significance became clear.

Rice. 3. Russian troops in Berlin (1760).

What have we learned?

From the article we learned that since 1757, Russia quite actively participated in the Seven Years' War, supporting the Austro-French alliance. Russian troops achieved significant results, but due to a change of power in 1762 they were forced to stop the offensive against Prussia.

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