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Modern Wars in Perspective
The Global Seven Years War 1754-1763: Britain and France in a Great Power Contest
The Seven Years War was a global contest between the two superpowers of eighteenth century Europe, France and Britain. Winston Churchill called it "the first World War." Neither side could afford to lose advantage in any part of the world, and the decisive battles of the war ranged from Fort Duquesne in what is now Pittsburgh to Minorca in the Mediterranean, from Bengal to Quebec. By its end British power in North America and India had been consolidated and the foundations of Empire laid, yet at the time both sides saw it primarily as a struggle for security, power and influence within Europe.
In this eagerly awaited study, Daniel Baugh, the world's leading authority on eighteenth century maritime history looks at the war as it unfolded from the failure of Anglo-French negotiations over the Ohio territories in 1784 through the official declaration of war in 1756 to the treaty of Paris which formally ended hostilities between England and France in 1763. At each stage he examines the processes of decision-making on each side for what they can show us about the capabilities and efficiency of the two national governments and looks at what was involved not just in the military engagements themselves but in the complexities of sustaining campaigns so far from home.
With its panoramic scope and use of telling detail this definitive account will be essential reading for anyone with an interest in military history or the history of eighteenth century Europe.
In this eagerly awaited study, Daniel Baugh, the world's leading authority on eighteenth century maritime history looks at the war as it unfolded from the failure of Anglo-French negotiations over the Ohio territories in 1784 through the official declaration of war in 1756 to the treaty of Paris which formally ended hostilities between England and France in 1763. At each stage he examines the processes of decision-making on each side for what they can show us about the capabilities and efficiency of the two national governments and looks at what was involved not just in the military engagements themselves but in the complexities of sustaining campaigns so far from home.
With its panoramic scope and use of telling detail this definitive account will be essential reading for anyone with an interest in military history or the history of eighteenth century Europe.
752 pages, Paperback
First published June 23, 2011
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643 people want to read
About the author
Daniel A. Baugh
4 books3 followersA specialist in the maritime, naval and geopolitical history of 18th century Great Britain, Daniel Albert Baugh earned his BA (1953) and MA (1957) degrees from the University of Pennsylvania, and his Ph.D (1961) from the University of Cambridge. Baugh taught at the University of Pennsylvania from 1961 until 1969, and at Cornell University from 1969 until his retirement in 1998.
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
December 25, 2014
An accessible and thorough history of the Seven Years’ War. Baugh is a skilled writer and provides a good amount of insight into the war’s many aspects. Although the war involved many different participants, Baugh’s book has a decided focus on Britain and France. And though Baugh does provide adequate coverage of the war in Europe, the emphasis is on the war outside of Europe, as the title suggests--the struggle for overseas possessions between Britain and France.
Baugh’s writing is clear and he has a talent for making everything understandable. The peace negotiations, for example, are rather confusing when read in other books on the subject, but Baugh does a good job making sense out of them. Policy and strategy are given excellent treatment. Although France seemed to be gaining the upper hand during the early stages, its high command was overconfident, inept at making realistic decisions and riven by factions, while the British enjoyed a considerable advantage in the leadership of the energetic and visionary William Pitt.
Along with policy and strategy, Baugh devotes a good deal of attention to matters of logistics, supply lines and the like, which were of tremendous significance given the war’s global reach. Even though the Royal Navy took years to fully mobilize, its ability to disrupt French supply convoys and contain the French navy to European waters proved decisive.
Baugh’s treatment of these campaigns is easy to follow, and the book includes a good number of useful maps, although a glossary may have been helpful; Baugh assumes that the reader knows quite a bit about eighteenth-century fortress construction and naval warfare.
Baugh’s writing is clear and he has a talent for making everything understandable. The peace negotiations, for example, are rather confusing when read in other books on the subject, but Baugh does a good job making sense out of them. Policy and strategy are given excellent treatment. Although France seemed to be gaining the upper hand during the early stages, its high command was overconfident, inept at making realistic decisions and riven by factions, while the British enjoyed a considerable advantage in the leadership of the energetic and visionary William Pitt.
Along with policy and strategy, Baugh devotes a good deal of attention to matters of logistics, supply lines and the like, which were of tremendous significance given the war’s global reach. Even though the Royal Navy took years to fully mobilize, its ability to disrupt French supply convoys and contain the French navy to European waters proved decisive.
Baugh’s treatment of these campaigns is easy to follow, and the book includes a good number of useful maps, although a glossary may have been helpful; Baugh assumes that the reader knows quite a bit about eighteenth-century fortress construction and naval warfare.
November 13, 2012
This is a study of the Seven Years War, including the French and Indian War, which was fought on a global scale between Britain and France from 1754 to 1763. Dr Daniel A. Baugh, Professor Emeritus of History at Cornell University, is a well-known authority on British maritime history in the eighteenth century, and is the author of British Naval Administration in the Age of Walpole (1965), editor of British Naval Administration, 1715-1750 (1977), and has published many articles on British naval history in scholarly journals.
In this massive, definitive study, Baugh thoroughly examines Anglo-French politics, diplomacy, strategy, as well as military and naval operations in the global conflict called the Seven Years War. In this struggle, Britain, under George II, was allied with Hanover (ruled by George II) and Frederick II of Prussia against France, Austria, and Russia. The author explores the origins of the conflict in North America and Europe. He then focuses his narrative on the Anglo-French struggle in North America (French and Indian War), Europe, India (Third Carnatic War), West Africa, West Indies, Central America, along with action on the high seas. Baugh examines the political and military issues in Britain and France that played a role in the development of strategy and the conduct of military and naval operations. But, as Baugh points out, there were few Anglo-French land battles with just a small number of troops involved. Moreover, the naval war saw only six fleet engagements, including three in the Atlantic and Mediterranean along with three in the Indian Ocean. The author stresses the preparation for mounting expeditions and carrying out lengthy campaigns. As he writes: “This was a war in which strategic and operational planning, careful logistical preparation, and adaptation to unfamiliar campaigning conditions were absolutely necessary for success” (p.xi). Moreover, Baugh points out that Britain’s financial system allowed British forces to continue the war beyond the financial strains experienced by other powers involved in the Seven Years War.
Baugh writes an engaging history of the conflict. Major players in each government, military, and navy are described, including the Duke of Newcastle, Earl of Hardwicke, William Pitt, and the duc de Choiseul. Baugh describes the Anglo-French war in North America in the mid-1750s, including early British military disasters (Fort Necessity [1754], Monongahela Valley [1755] Fort Oswego [1756], and Fort William Henry [1757]) as well as the French conquest of Minorca (1756) and French victory at the battle of Hastenbeck that led to the temporary occupation of the Electorate of Hanover [1757]). His narrative includes the continuing Anglo-Hanoverian military operations against France in northern Germany; British diversionary amphibious strikes at Rochefort (1757), Saint Malo (1758), Cherbourg (1758), and Belle Île (1761); a possible Franco-Jacobite invasion of England (1759); British naval victories at Lagos Bay (1759) and Quiberon Bay (1759); and British military success in India (Plassey [1757] and Wandiwash [1760]). In addition, the author addresses British success in Anglo-French actions in West Africa (Senegal [1758] and Gorée [1758]), the West Indies (Guadeloupe [1759] and Martinique [1761]), and British success in North America (Louisbourg [1758], Ticonderoga [1759], Fort Niagara [1759], Plains of Abraham and Quebec [1759], and Montreal [1760]). By 1760, British success drove the war weary and financially-stretched French to desperate moves. France sought peace while attempting to acquire, and then gaining Spain’s involvement in the conflict (1761-1763). As such, British forces repulsed a Spanish invasion of Portugal (1762), and then captured the Spanish possessions of Havana in Cuba (1762) and Manila in the Philippines (1762). Baugh explains the Anglo-Franco-Spanish diplomacy that led to the Peace of Paris (1763). Most conquered territories were returned to their original owners. However, the peace settlement left Britain in control of Canada, Dominica, Grenada, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, and Tobago. Britain also gained the eastern half of French Louisiana (from the Mississippi River to the Appalachian Mountains) and Florida.
In depicting the Anglo-French struggle, Baugh relies on primary sources, especially the Newcastle and Hardwicke manuscript collections in the British Library. He notes, however, that there is no equivalent French archive. Even so, the author believes that the British and French decision-making apparatus concerning war-making were very different. The British government was serious about winning the conflict against a perceived stronger power, while the French government of Louis XV seemed complacent. “Management of policy and strategy at Versailles,” so writes Baugh, “was often ill-advised and fumbling” (p.xiii). Baugh attributes British success in the war to political, military, and naval leadership, naval mobilization and operations, Anglo-Hanoverian military operations that tied down French forces in northern Germany, effective amphibious operations in the West Indies, and the financial capability to pursue and win the war in India.
This is a well-written, valuable study on the British, Hanoverian, French, and Spanish aspects of the Seven Years War. It treats the conflict on a global scale. The work is based on primary sources and considers the most current research on different aspects of the Seven Years War. The study reflects a growing interest on the conflict beyond the European continent. Other studies that look at the global conflict include Fred Anderson’s Crucible of War: The Seven Years War and the Fate of Empire in British North America, 1754-1766 (2000), Daniel Marston’s The Seven Years War (2001) in Osprey’s Essential Histories series, along with Matt Schumann and Karl Schweizer’s The Seven Years War: A Transatlantic History (2008). The soon-to-be-released collection of essays in The Seven Years War: Global Views (2012), edited by Mark H. Danley and Patrick J. Speelman, stress the global aspects of the conflict. Jonathan R. Dull, The French Navy and the Seven Years War (2005), Frank McLynn, 1759: The Year Britain Became Master of the World (2004), and David Syrett, Shipping and Military Power in the Seven Years War: The Sails of Victory (2008) are recent additions to the literature. Franz A.J. Szabo, The Seven Years War in Europe, 1756-1763 (2008) is the best recent study of the conflict focusing on the Frederick the Great’s efforts against Austria, Russia, and France.
In this massive, definitive study, Baugh thoroughly examines Anglo-French politics, diplomacy, strategy, as well as military and naval operations in the global conflict called the Seven Years War. In this struggle, Britain, under George II, was allied with Hanover (ruled by George II) and Frederick II of Prussia against France, Austria, and Russia. The author explores the origins of the conflict in North America and Europe. He then focuses his narrative on the Anglo-French struggle in North America (French and Indian War), Europe, India (Third Carnatic War), West Africa, West Indies, Central America, along with action on the high seas. Baugh examines the political and military issues in Britain and France that played a role in the development of strategy and the conduct of military and naval operations. But, as Baugh points out, there were few Anglo-French land battles with just a small number of troops involved. Moreover, the naval war saw only six fleet engagements, including three in the Atlantic and Mediterranean along with three in the Indian Ocean. The author stresses the preparation for mounting expeditions and carrying out lengthy campaigns. As he writes: “This was a war in which strategic and operational planning, careful logistical preparation, and adaptation to unfamiliar campaigning conditions were absolutely necessary for success” (p.xi). Moreover, Baugh points out that Britain’s financial system allowed British forces to continue the war beyond the financial strains experienced by other powers involved in the Seven Years War.
Baugh writes an engaging history of the conflict. Major players in each government, military, and navy are described, including the Duke of Newcastle, Earl of Hardwicke, William Pitt, and the duc de Choiseul. Baugh describes the Anglo-French war in North America in the mid-1750s, including early British military disasters (Fort Necessity [1754], Monongahela Valley [1755] Fort Oswego [1756], and Fort William Henry [1757]) as well as the French conquest of Minorca (1756) and French victory at the battle of Hastenbeck that led to the temporary occupation of the Electorate of Hanover [1757]). His narrative includes the continuing Anglo-Hanoverian military operations against France in northern Germany; British diversionary amphibious strikes at Rochefort (1757), Saint Malo (1758), Cherbourg (1758), and Belle Île (1761); a possible Franco-Jacobite invasion of England (1759); British naval victories at Lagos Bay (1759) and Quiberon Bay (1759); and British military success in India (Plassey [1757] and Wandiwash [1760]). In addition, the author addresses British success in Anglo-French actions in West Africa (Senegal [1758] and Gorée [1758]), the West Indies (Guadeloupe [1759] and Martinique [1761]), and British success in North America (Louisbourg [1758], Ticonderoga [1759], Fort Niagara [1759], Plains of Abraham and Quebec [1759], and Montreal [1760]). By 1760, British success drove the war weary and financially-stretched French to desperate moves. France sought peace while attempting to acquire, and then gaining Spain’s involvement in the conflict (1761-1763). As such, British forces repulsed a Spanish invasion of Portugal (1762), and then captured the Spanish possessions of Havana in Cuba (1762) and Manila in the Philippines (1762). Baugh explains the Anglo-Franco-Spanish diplomacy that led to the Peace of Paris (1763). Most conquered territories were returned to their original owners. However, the peace settlement left Britain in control of Canada, Dominica, Grenada, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, and Tobago. Britain also gained the eastern half of French Louisiana (from the Mississippi River to the Appalachian Mountains) and Florida.
In depicting the Anglo-French struggle, Baugh relies on primary sources, especially the Newcastle and Hardwicke manuscript collections in the British Library. He notes, however, that there is no equivalent French archive. Even so, the author believes that the British and French decision-making apparatus concerning war-making were very different. The British government was serious about winning the conflict against a perceived stronger power, while the French government of Louis XV seemed complacent. “Management of policy and strategy at Versailles,” so writes Baugh, “was often ill-advised and fumbling” (p.xiii). Baugh attributes British success in the war to political, military, and naval leadership, naval mobilization and operations, Anglo-Hanoverian military operations that tied down French forces in northern Germany, effective amphibious operations in the West Indies, and the financial capability to pursue and win the war in India.
This is a well-written, valuable study on the British, Hanoverian, French, and Spanish aspects of the Seven Years War. It treats the conflict on a global scale. The work is based on primary sources and considers the most current research on different aspects of the Seven Years War. The study reflects a growing interest on the conflict beyond the European continent. Other studies that look at the global conflict include Fred Anderson’s Crucible of War: The Seven Years War and the Fate of Empire in British North America, 1754-1766 (2000), Daniel Marston’s The Seven Years War (2001) in Osprey’s Essential Histories series, along with Matt Schumann and Karl Schweizer’s The Seven Years War: A Transatlantic History (2008). The soon-to-be-released collection of essays in The Seven Years War: Global Views (2012), edited by Mark H. Danley and Patrick J. Speelman, stress the global aspects of the conflict. Jonathan R. Dull, The French Navy and the Seven Years War (2005), Frank McLynn, 1759: The Year Britain Became Master of the World (2004), and David Syrett, Shipping and Military Power in the Seven Years War: The Sails of Victory (2008) are recent additions to the literature. Franz A.J. Szabo, The Seven Years War in Europe, 1756-1763 (2008) is the best recent study of the conflict focusing on the Frederick the Great’s efforts against Austria, Russia, and France.
July 30, 2025
Amazing book with all the details of the non-European theatres of this conflict. Perhaps too focused only on England and France but overall a great read which complements nicely the other book of the collection focused in the European theatre of the war.
December 13, 2012
In a nutshell, Baugh argues that the Seven Years' War must be seen in a global context and that Britain won because of its superiority in naval strength, military logistics and preparedness, financial access, and political leadership at home. The analytical aspects of the argument tend to be obscured by Baugh's blow-by-blow narrative of military engagements, which, though written well, turns what should have been a 300-page book into almost three times that length.
December 25, 2021
This is a dense book, with a great deal of detail, and all (pretty much) pertinent. I found some of the discussions about parliamentary maneuvering in Britain to be tedious at times, and had some difficulty determining which Duke was which, but it was generally to a useful point when the detail was presented.
The book discusses strategy, planning, logistics, and management much more than many war histories, and in this case it is useful.
The book discusses strategy, planning, logistics, and management much more than many war histories, and in this case it is useful.
June 1, 2025
3 and a half stars. Not for the feint of heart. Close to six hundred pages, interesting but does read like a college textbook. A lot interesting trivia in this book, the origin of the word Cajan and that Silhouette was a real person. Col Washington of the Virginia militia makes a couple of appearances, as does the patron Saint of Philadelphia Benjamin Franklin; and that Pittsburgh was named after William Pitt the elder. This was a world war with fighting in North America, the Caribbean, Europe, Africa, and India.
July 7, 2023
Excellent history of the Seven Years war focused on Britain andFrance. The book covers the issues of the political and economic struggles both faced. While it covers the major campaigns and battles it is much broader in focus. Well written and detailed - I highly recommend this book
October 29, 2020
There was an awful lot of detail in this book.
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April 21, 2022Year of war
February 16, 2025
Very informative
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews