AP US History Crash Course on the Seven Years’ War 

If you are a high school student, you have many exams ahead of you. Whether it’s the SAT, ACT, or AP, preparing for each of them can be quite a challenge. But does it have to be like that? We say “no.” With the right resources and proper time management, you can do it easily. To simplify things, we have prepared a crash course on the vital part of US history — Seven Years War. Keep reading to learn the essentials! 

The Diplomatic Revolution

Let’s start with the Diplomatic Revolution. It may seem unimportant at first, but it actually set the stage for the Seven Years’ War. Basically, this Diplomatic Revolution referred to the change of alliances in Europe between 1748 (the end of the War of the Austrian Succession) and 1756 (the beginning of the Seven Years’ War). This shift of alliances led to the war. But why did it happen? 

You see, there were several things happening almost simultaneously:

1. The Treaty of Aix-la-Chapelle in 1748 ended the War of the Austrian Succession. Yet, it did not address lots of other things, including the harsh colonial rivalry between Britain and France. These European Empires were fiercely competing for new territories, especially in North America and India. It was easy to predict how such a rivalry would end – with heavy military actions. 
2. Frederick the Great of Prussia gained control over Silesia during the War of the Austrian Succession, creating tension between Prussia and Austria. At the same time, Austria felt that Britain didn’t support it enough during the War of the Austrian Succession and was determined to get Silesia back from Prussia.
3. In addition, France did everything to block Russia from the peace negotiations, even though Russia was helping Britain during the War of the Austrian Succession. This, expectedly, increased tensions even more.

So, the situation was anything but easy. That’s why all of these events fundamentally altered the European power dynamic through the Diplomatic Revolution:

• Austria, feeling betrayed by Britain, began secret talks with France. Thus, France and Austria, former rivals, became allies.
• Britain, seeking allies for fighting against a potential French threat to its overseas colonies, secured Prussia’s support through the Convention of Westminster. Thus, Britain, previously allied with Austria, now stood alongside Prussia.

So, such a shift in alliances set the stage for the Seven Years’ War — a global conflict across Europe, North America, India, and the seas. The British focused their military efforts on securing their colonies and naval dominance against the French navy. Meanwhile, the French forces, bolstered by the Austrian alliance, aimed to challenge British control in North America and the Austrian Netherlands. 

Political Interests of European Countries Before 7 Years’ War

There is one more thing you need to know to have a full picture before the exam. On June 2, 1746, Austria and Russia made a deal – they had to protect themselves and Poland from Prussia or Turkey. One of the secret clauses of their defensive alliance was to help Austria get back Silesia and the courtship of Glatz. But their main goal was to destroy Frederick’s power altogether. How did they want to do that? 

They planned to limit him to Brandenburg and give East Prussia to Poland, with the Polish duchy of Courland going to Russia. Graf Bestuzhev-Ryumin, Russia’s grand chancellor, wanted to go after both France and Prussia. However, he couldn’t persuade Austrian statesman Wenzel Anton von Kaunitz to attack Prussia because Prussia had support from France. Austria’s and Russia’s intentions weren’t on the same page at that point. 

At the same time, apart from maintaining its influence in Europe, France wanted colonial expansion. The French Government claimed it was one of their main goals. So, they saw an opportunity to take advantage of Hanover’s weakness in a war against Great Britain. However, France didn’t want to send its forces to Central Europe just to help Prussia. 

For a better understanding, you should know one thing: French policy was complex. There was a system called le Secret du Roi or The King’s Secret — private diplomacy conducted by King Louis XV. Even at that time, he managed to send his agents through Europe to pursue personal political objectives. He wanted to win the Polish crown for his kinsman Louis François de Bourbon, Prince de Conti. Also, he aimed to maintain Poland, Sweden, and Turkey as French client states despite Russian and Austrian interests.

The Seven Years’ War Overview

When it comes to the Seven Years’ War, there is an important thing you should keep in mind. You can often hear it being referred to as the French and Indian War. But there is an important distinction – the 7 Years’ War lasted from 1756 to 1763 and primarily encompassed conflicts in Europe. At the same time, the French and Indian War extended from 1754 to 1763 (two years more) and referred to the global battles for the influence oversees between Great Britain and France. 

That’s why the Seven Years’ War is often seen as the European phase of a global conflict between France and Great Britain. This is the same reason why you often hear that the Seven Years’ War lasted nine years. All because the French and Indian War lasted nine years.

Source: The College Board

Reasons of the Seven Years’ War

The main reason the French and Indian War started was the disagreement between Great Britain and France on who should control certain lands. 

What was the initial problem? Both the British government and France had many disputes over the territories. At that time, the lands of disagreement were the Ohio and Mississippi River Valleys. What contributed to the dispute? They lacked a clear border between French and British lands. 

The French built forts around the Ohio River to claim the land first. Yet, the British, led by Lieutenant Colonel George Washington, tried to kick them out in 1754. What was the outcome? The British lost for a simple reason: the French outnumbered them. 

When the British Prime Minister Thomas Pelham-Holles, Duke of Newcastle, heard about Washington’s failure, he wanted to strike back fast. Importantly, he did not want to officially declare war. However, such plans cannot be a secret for a long time. His opponents in the Cabinet foiled his plan by making it public. This, in turn, alerted the French and turned a small border clash into a big war. 

Source: Britannica 

European Countries Participating in the War

Note that the Seven Years’ War was the last major conflict before the French Revolution to involve all the great European powers. Particularly, France, Austria, Saxony, Sweden, and Russia aligned against Prussia, Hanover, and Great Britain. 

Key Periods and Events of the Seven Years’ War & the French and Indian War

So, in 1754, a young military officer from Virginia whose name was George Washington (a name you might have heard in a completely different context) started the first fight. It happened near the place which is now Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. This small battle, called “Jumonville Glen,” officially started the war in North America. Here is a breakdown of this war and how it changed the balance of powers. 

The Beginning of the War

During the first years (from 1754 to 1757), the British were losing to more organized French forces. Apparently, they didn’t realize how strong the French were, and planning attacks across such a big area was hard. Meanwhile, the French got vital victories, including: 

• the fight at Fort Necessity in 1754;
• the fight at Fort Duquesne, known as “Braddock’s Defeat” in 1755. 

These victories helped the French make strategic alliances with Native American groups. But did it have an overall impact on the war’s outcome? Let’s find out! 

Source: Britannica

Vital Changes in Britain’s Army in War’s Middle Period 

The British were disappointed with the constant losses, so once William Pitt became the new British Government Prime Minister, he implemented big changes. First, he put new, more effective leaders in charge, got more soldiers, and improved coordination. 

Moreover, Britain’s strong navy optimized the troops’ movement and helped them with supplies. It worked. The British military effort led to the winning battles at Fort Duquesne in 1758, Louisbourg in 1758, and Quebec in 1759, changing things around for the British. 

William Pitt, British Prime Minister. Source: Britannica

The End of the War 

The winning tendency that the British established continued. They achieved main victories, securing the country’s dominance over France, which had to leave most of its North American territories. The war ended with the signing of the Treaty of Paris in 1763. 

The fighting happened in North America but wasn’t limited to it. Battles also took place in Europe, India, the Caribbean, and the Philippines. Britain’s strong navy helped the country win over the French army. 

What Were the Results of the War? 

In 1763, the parties signed two treaties to end the war:

The Treaty of Paris (Peace of Paris)

The Seven Years’ War ended with a deal called the Treaty of Paris in 1763. Britain won the war and took almost all of France’s territory. But the consequences were much more powerful. Here’s what happened:

• Britain got Canada, taking it from France.
• All the land east of the Mississippi River that used to belong to France became Britain’s. However, it is important to note that New Orleans wasn’t part of this deal. Keep that in mind to answer a tricky question correctly on the test:) 
• France got two Caribbean islands – Guadeloupe and Martinique.
• Spain, which entered the war on the French side in 1762, got Cuba and the Philippines, but they had to give Florida to Britain.

Treaty of Paris, 1763. Source: Archives

The Peace of Hubertusburg

In the meantime, the Seven Years’ War in Europe ended as well. Austria, Prussia, and Saxony signed a treaty called the Peace of Hubertusburg on February 15, 1763. This treaty basically rewound the time back: things became as they were in 1748 for those countries. You’ve guessed it – according to the deal, Frederick of Prussia kept Silesia. By the end of the war, Prussia had become a big power in Europe. France, on the other hand, lost its strength and was nearing the French Revolution, while Britain built an empire where, as they said, “the sun never set.”

Major Economic Changes Caused by the Seven Years’ War

The consequences of the war were huge. Yes, Britain won the war and defended what they thought was their land. However, they found themselves deeply in debt. So, the British government came up with a major change. 

The solution was simple: the colonists would now have to pay the taxes. This marked a fundamental shift in the economic relationships between the two entities. The implementation of new taxes set by the Stamp Act and the Townshend Act targeted the colonists. 

Later, the fundamental disagreement over “no taxation without representation” became a key factor leading to the American Revolution.

The Impact of War on the Existing Political Power 

The French and Indian War challenged traditional political power in many ways. After it was over, thinkers across the world presented a set of new ideas that are still very popular today: 

• Republicanism. An entirely new political theory that emphasizes the importance of citizens actively participating in government. The importance of community, instead of a king, is at the heart of this idea. 
• Liberalism. The set of ideas created by John Locke. At the core of it were (and continue to be even today) individual freedoms and equal rights for everyone who constitutes the society. Liberalism promoted personal liberties, such as freedom of speech, religion, and individual choices. 
• Enlightenment ideas. The broader intellectual movement of the Enlightenment, emphasizing reason, individual rights, and limited government, further fueled the colonists’ questioning of British authority.
• Religious freedom. The war exposed colonists to diverse religious practices, particularly in French Canada. They challenged the dominance of the established Anglican Church in the British colonies. It also contributed to a growing sense of religious pluralism.
• Anti-mercantilism. The war messed up the usual way of trading, so some colonists wanted less government control and more freedom in business. This went against the British system, where the government strictly controlled trade in the colonies.

John Locke, a British philosopher who advocated for liberalism. Source: Britannica

The Timeline of the Seven Years’ War

If you need a short review of the 7 Years’ War, here are major facts and dates we have mentioned in this article:  

1750-1753: Tensions Rise Oversees

British colonies expanded westward, clashing with French claims in the Ohio River Valley.

Both sides built forts and traded with Native American allies.

1754: Opening Shots – The Beginning of the French and Indian War

The skirmish was at Jumonville Glen between a Virginia militia led by George Washington and a French patrol. It marks the start of hostility. 

1755-1756: Early French Victories Oversees & the Beginning of the 7 Years’ War in Europe

British forces under Washington surrendered at Fort Necessity. “Braddock’s Defeat”: British General Braddock’s attempt to capture Fort Duquesne ends in disaster.

In Europe, 70,000 Prussians crossed the Saxon frontier in 1756.

1757-1758: Turning Point

William Pitt became the British Secretary of State and revitalized the war effort. During the Capture of Louisbourg, Nova Scotia, the British forces seized the key French stronghold. 

1759-1760: British Dominance

In the Battle of Quebec, British General James Wolfe defeated French General Montcalm. It happened on the Plains of Abraham and secured Quebec City for the British. The British captured Montreal, ending the French control over Canada.

1763: Treaty of Paris

The Treaty of Paris formally ended the Seven Years’ War. France surrendered all its North American land east of the Mississippi River to Britain. It kept only two small islands for fishing.

Conclusion 

Obviously, the Seven Years’ War resulted in major shifts. It set the stage for the British colonies overseas to eventually become more independent, while the European War turned out to be a threshold for major changes in the future. 

As for your AP exam, make sure to review the main periods. But keep in mind that you have to do more than just know the facts. So, strengthen your interpretation skills. Hopefully, with this crash course, you can be more equipped to ace the AP US History test. However, if you still need extra guidance and help, find tutoring services. Good luck!