Seven Years’ War: Quick Facts

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Facts

Date	1756 - 1763
Participants	Austria • France • Great Britain • Hanover • Prussia • Russia • Saxony • Sweden
Context	Treaty of Aix-la-Chapelle • British Empire

Photos and Videos

Seven Years' War: Battle of Zorndorf

Black and white map showing the northeastern region of North America during the French and Indian War, with symbols marking the locations of French and English forts. The map includes key geographic features such as the Appalachian Mountains, the St. Lawrence River, and the Great Lakes, and labels major settlements and forts where significant fighting took place.

Black-and-white historical map showing central Europe during the Silesian Wars from 1740 to 1763. The map highlights regions such as Silesia, Bohemia, Austria, Poland, and Prussia, with major cities, rivers, and mountain ranges labeled, and a scale in English miles at the bottom.

Portrait painting of Frederick II of Brandenburg, King of Prussia, wearing a dark coat with a star medal, yellow gloves, and holding a cane, with the inscription Fridericus II Rex Prussiae.

Engraved portrait of Empress Maria Theresa of Austria seated, wearing a dark gown with lace sleeves, a head covering, and a star-shaped medal on her chest.

Wenzel Anton von Kaunitz

Colorful 1755 map by John Mitchell showing British and French territories in eastern North America with borders, settlements, and a decorative cartouche in the lower right corner.

Heinrich, Reichsgraf von Brühl

Black-and-white historical battle map depicting troop positions and terrain for the Battle of Prague during the Seven Years' War. The map shows the city of Prague and surrounding landscape, with lines and blocks indicating the positions of Prussian and Austrian forces according to the legend. Hachures and shading illustrate hills, forests, and other geographic features.

Partitions of Poland explained

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Topics

Western colonialism

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Timeline

Painting of Edward Braddock and British troops in uniform advancing through dense forest, facing Native American and French fighters during the French and Indian War near Fort Duquesne.

French and Indian War

1754 - 1763

Silesian Wars

1756 - 1762

The Execution of Admiral Byng

Battle of Minorca

May 20, 1756

Vintage engraving of the Battle of Plassey shows British East India Company officers in military uniforms gathered in the foreground, with soldiers and fighting visible in the distance among trees.

Battle of Plassey

June 23, 1757

Battle of Wandiwash

January 22, 1760

Treaty of Paris

February 10, 1763

Read More: Timeline of the Seven Years’ War

Key People

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Victor-François, 2nd duke de Broglie

marshal of France

Portrait painting of Frederick II of Brandenburg, King of Prussia, wearing a dark coat with a star medal, yellow gloves, and holding a cane, with the inscription Fridericus II Rex Prussiae.

Frederick II

king of Prussia

William Pitt, the Elder

William Pitt, the Elder

prime minister of United Kingdom

Maria Theresa

Maria Theresa

Holy Roman empress

Wenzel Anton von Kaunitz

Wenzel Anton von Kaunitz

chancellor of Austria

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Sir Eyre Coote

British soldier

Sackville, George Sackville-Germain, 1st Viscount, Baron Bolebrooke of Sussex

George Sackville-Germain, 1st Viscount Sackville

English politician and soldier

Stringer Lawrence, oil painting by Thomas Gainsborough; in the National Portrait Gallery, London

Stringer Lawrence

British officer

Heinrich, Reichsgraf von Brühl

Heinrich, count von Brühl

prime minister of Saxony

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Edward Boscawen

British admiral

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Charles de Croix, count von Clerfayt

Austrian field marshal

Fredrik Axel von Fersen; pastel by Gustaf Lundberg; in Gripsholm Castle, Sweden

Fredrik Axel von Fersen

Swedish politician

Seydlitz, Friedrich Wilhelm, Freiherr von

Friedrich Wilhelm, baron von Seydlitz

Prussian general

John Manners, marquess of Granby, portrait after Sir Joshua Reynolds, c. 1759; in the National Portrait Gallery, London.

John Manners, marquess of Granby

British army officer

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Gideon Ernest, baron von Laudon

Austrian field marshal

Ferdinand, duke of Brunswick-Lüneburg

Ferdinand

Prussian general

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Leopold Joseph, Graf von Daun

Austrian general

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Charles, prince of Lorraine and Bar

Austrian governor of The Netherlands

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Franz Moritz, count von Lacy

Austrian field marshal

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Charles de Rohan, prince de Soubise

French marshal

D-Day. American soldiers fire rifles, throw grenades and wade ashore on Omaha Beach next to a German bunker during D Day landing. 1 of 5 Allied beachheads est. in Normandy, France. The Normandy Invasion of World War II launched June 6, 1944.

A History of War

Louis IX of France (St. Louis), stained glass window of Louis IX during the Crusades. (Unknown location.)

World Wars

Civil War era cannon overlooks Kennesaw Mountain National Battle. (military, artillery, American history)

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