Britain Declares War on France
May 17, 1756
The colonial brushfires in America and India finally reached the palaces of Europe. Britain declared war; France's new ally, Austria, declared back. The 'Diplomatic Revolution' had flipped old enmities: Prussia and Britain on one side, France, Austria, Russia on the other. The Seven Years' War was on. Winston Churchill would later call it the first true world war, fought on five continents and three oceans simultaneously.
In context
Also in 1756 (3 other events on record)
- Mozart Born in Salzburg · Europe · Culture
- Frederick Invades Saxony · Europe · War
- Black Hole of Calcutta · South Asia · War
Before and after in Europe
Before and after in War
Era
Enlightenment (1651–1800), one of 696 events from that era on Saeculum.