Diplomatic Revolution

The change was triggered by Great Britain , whose kings from the Brunswick-Lüneburg line found it unlikely that their long-time ally, Austria , would be able to defend their continental possession, Hanover , in case of a French takeover. As a result, Britain preferred to ally itself with Frederick The Great of Prussia , who had succeeded in transforming his country into a major power in Central Europe. Under the terms of the Convention Of Westminster , signed in January 1756 , Frederick promised Great Britain that he would not move against Hanover.

Maria Theresa Of Austria , who had lost Silesia after Frederick's aggression a decade earlier, viewed Britain's alliance with Prussia as a backstab and sent envoys to Louis XV Of France to conclude a defensive alliance against Prussia. Although France and Austria had been intermittently at war since the 16th Century , traditionally rivalling each other for hegemony in Europe, the Franco-Austrian alliance (first defensive and then offensive) was finalized in May 1756. Empress Elizabeth Of Russia acceded to the treaty before long.

As a result of this diplomatic revolution, Great Britain and Prussia faced Austria, France, and Russia. Despite this reversal of alliances, however, the basic antagonisms remained: Prussia versus Austria and Great Britain versus France. All these tensions erupted during the Seven Years' War , to which the Diplomatic Revolution is considered a prelude.

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Diplomatic Revolution