Back to the video list: German History

 

Quite a large number of historians define the Seven Years' War as the actual first world war. In Europe Prussia faced an overwhelming alliance of great powers. However, Prussia made a stand and could establish herself as the fifth great power in Europe.

Also of interest may be the North American theatre of the Seven Years'War.

 

Video

 

 

Overview

  • Date: 29 Aug 1756 – 15 Feb 1763
  • Location: Holy Roman Empire, additionally North America, India, Philippines & Africa
  • Start: Prussian invasion of Saxony
  • End: Treaty of Hubertusburg (status quo ante bellum)

 

Background

  • Territorial ambitions in Europe:
    • Prussia: West Prussia & Saxony
    • Austria: Silesia
    • Russia: Expansion to the west
  • Austrian revanchism for the loss of Silesia (War of Austrian Succession)
  • Prussian ambition to secure & strengthen her power
  • Colonial conflict between Great Britain & France in North America & India
  • George II of Great Britain wants to secure his ancestral principality Hanover

 

The Alliances

  • Convention of Westminster & further treaties:
    • Prussia
    • Great Britain
    • Duchy of Brunswick-Luneburg
    • Landgraviate of Hesse-Kassel
    • County of Schaumburg-Lippe
    • Principality Brunswick-Wolfenbüttel
    • Duchy of Saxe-Gotha-Altenburg
  • Treaty of Versailles & further treaties:
    • Austria
    • France
    • Saxony
    • Russia
    • Sweden
    • Holy Roman Empire (Imperial Army)

 

History

1756 & 1757

  • 19 Aug 1756: Prussia invades Saxony
  • Aug. – Oct 1756: Prussia occupies Saxony & defeats Austria in the Battle of Lobositz
  • May – Jun 1757: Prussian invasion of Bohemia fails after the defeat in the Battle of Kolin
  • Jun – Nov 1757: French forces occupy the western territories of Prussia, defeat Prussia’s allies in the Battle of Hastenbeck & pose a threat to Prussia from the west
  • 05 Nov 1757: Prussia decisively defeats the French & Imperial Army in the Battle of Roßbach
  • Sep – Nov 1757: Austria occupies large parts of Silesia
  • Sep – Dec 1757: Hostilities between Sweden & Prussia without a definite decision

 

1758

  • 1758: Russia occupies East Prussia
  • May – Jul 1758: Prussia attempts to invade the Austrian heartland but fails in the siege of Olmütz & retreats
  • Aug – Nov 1758: Austrian invasion of Saxony fails after the failed siege of Dresden

 

1759 & 1760

  • 12 Aug 1759: Decisive Russian-Austrian victory in the battle of Kunersdorf
  • Aug – Sep 1759: “The miracle of the House of Brandenburg “ – Russia & Austria withdraw
  • 1759: French offensives without a decision
  • 1760: Despite several victories Prussia is at the brink of loosing the war:
    • Russians in East Prussia
    • Austrians in Saxony & Silesia
    • Swedes in Pomerania
    • French in the west

 

1761 – 1763

  • 1761: Prussia holds her positions against:
    • Austria & Russia in Silesia
    • Sweden in Pomerania
  • 1761: France is financially exhausted & barely able to launch offensive operations
  • 05 Jan 1762: Tsarina Elizabeth dies; the new Tsar Peter III admires Frederick the Great
  • 22 May 1762: Treaty of Hamburg; Russia withdraws from the war
  • Jun – Sep 1762: Prussia’s allies defeat French forces at their last attempt to invade Hanover
  • 21 Jul & 29 Oct 1762: Prussia defeats Austria in the Battles of Burkersdorf & Freiberg
  • 15 Feb 1763: Treaty of Hubertusburg (status quo ante bellum)

 

Consequences & Impact

  • Status quo ante bellum in Europe
  • Prussia can defend her territory & is definitely established as the fifth great power
  • Continuation of the German Dualism between Prussia & Austria
  • Substantial loss of life – soldiers & civilians
  • Esp. in France massive drain on finances which is a precondition for the French Revolution
  • France looses her colonies in India & North America which is a precondition for the French Support for the colonies against Britain during the American Revolution.