Seven Years' War

A History from Beginning to End

By: Hourly History

Narrated by: Matthew J. Chandler-Smith

The Seven Years’ War, also known as the French and Indian War in North America, was fought between 1756 and 1763, and it involved all of Europe’s great powers and many of the so-called middle powers. The war spanned five continents and divided Europe into two coalitions, one led by Great Britain and the other led by France.

By the end of the conflict, Britain would gain control over Canada and Florida, but the war would nearly bankrupt the country as it doubled its national debt. Still, the war marked the beginning of the era of British dominance in North America. France would meanwhile lose all possessions east of the Mississippi River, with the exception of two small islands off Newfoundland. The war also had profound consequences for indigenous groups in North America.

This book tells the story of the little-known but consequential conflict known as the Seven Years’ War.

©2021 Hourly History (P)2021 Hourly History

World War 0

I had never fully understood what is known in America as the French and Indian war. After reading this overview of the larger conflict called the Seven Years War, I am amazed at the similarities with both World Wars I and II. Certainly the number of casualties was smaller, but the endless and mostly pointless fighting over relatively small pieces of land in Europe by the exact same countries that started both 20th century conflicts is an excellent parallel, or at least a prequel. History truly does repeat, and repeat, itself. It would seem that the only lasting accomplishment of the entire war was the transfer of French territory in North America to Britain. Fast moving but captivating.