was one of the major participants in the seven years' war which lasted between 1754 and 1763. britain emerged from the war as the world's leading colonial power, having gained a number of new territories at the treaty of paris in 1763 and established itself as the world's pre-eminent naval power.
the war started poorly for britain, which suffered many deaths from the plague and scurvy, and at the hands of france in north america during 1754–55; and in the loss of menorca in 1756. the same year britain's major ally austria switched sides and aligned itself with france; and britain was hastily forced to conclude a new alliance with frederick the great's prussia. for the next seven years these two nations were ranged against a growing number of enemy powers led by france. after a period of political instability, the rise of a government headed by the duke of newcastle and william pitt the elder provided britain with firmer leadership, enabling it to consolidate and achieve its war aims.
in 1759 britain enjoyed an annus mirabilis, "year of miracles", with success over the french on the continent (germany), in north america (capturing the capital of new france), and in india. in 1761 britain also came into conflict with spain. the following year british forces captured havana and manila, the western and eastern capitals of the spanish empire, and repulsed a spanish invasion of portugal. by this time the pitt-newcastle ministry had collapsed, britain was short of credit and the generous peace terms offered by france and its allies were accepted.
through the crown, britain was allied to the electorate of hanover and kingdom of ireland, both of which effectively fell under british military command throughout the war. it also directed the military strategy of its various colonies around the world including british america. in india british possessions were administered by the east india company.
