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Quiz about The Seven Years War in Europe
Quiz about The Seven Years War in Europe

The Seven Years' War in Europe Quiz


The Seven Years' War (in Europe) lasted from 1756-1763, involved all the major world powers, and saw some of the most famous battles and commanders of the 18th century.

A multiple-choice quiz by schwerepunkt. Estimated time: 8 mins.
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Author
schwerepunkt
Time
8 mins
Type
Multiple Choice
Quiz #
189,330
Updated
Dec 03 21
# Qns
10
Difficulty
Difficult
Avg Score
5 / 10
Plays
934
- -
Question 1 of 10
1. An easy one to start with. Who am I? I am the Monarch of Prussia, a member of the Hohenzollern dynasty and I was known in later life as 'the Great'. I was the second monarch in my dynasty to be known by this name. My name is Hint


Question 2 of 10
2. Which of these nations was allied to Prussia in the Seven Years' War? Hint


Question 3 of 10
3. The Austrian Empire, Frederick's most persistent enemy during the war, was led by its Regent, Empress or 'Kaiserin', Maria Theresa.
Initially the War went badly for the Austrians. It wasn't until 1757, one year and several battles after the start of the war, that the Austrians gained their first victory. It happened atop two hills, and the Austian army was commanded by General Leopold Graf von Daun.
What was the name of this battle?
Hint


Question 4 of 10
4. In North-West Germany, an allied army had been formed to defend the small allied German states from the French. The states included Brunswick, Hanover and Hesse-Kassel. The army consisted a mixture of allied German troops, some Prussians and a sizeable British contingent. These forces were originally commanded by Prince William Augustus, Duke of Cumberland (the 'Butcher of Culloden").
After the his defeat at Hastenback in July 1757, the army retreated and finally surrendered and was disbanded under the treaty of Kloster-Zeven.
In 1758, the British revoked the treaty and reformed the Allied Army of Observation, but this time Cumberland was replaced by a German.
What was his name?
Hint


Question 5 of 10
5. On 5th November, 1757, Frederick decisively defeated a Franco-Imperial Army commanded by Charles de Rohan, Prince de Soubise.
After this amazing victory, he marched his army hundreds of miles and then, precisely one month later, on 5th December 1757, defeated the main Austrian army. Where did these battles take place?
Hint


Question 6 of 10
6. In 1757, the Russians joined the war on side of the Franco-Austrians. The Russian Army of Observation clashed with a Prussian Force near the Pomeranian town of Gross-Jägersdorf.
Despite their overwhelming numbers (70,000 Russians v. 25,000 Prussians) the battle resulted in only a minor victory for the Russians, with the Prussian troops withdrawing in good order.
In order to build up troop numbers in the Pomeranian theatre, Frederick ordered the formation of several paramilitary style volunteer units. These units were involved mostly in the Pomeranian theatre due to their mediocre performance.
What were these units called.
Hint


Question 7 of 10
7. During the 18th century, many gentlemen with Irish and Scottish names may be found in the officer corps of most continental armies.
After the failed Jacobite uprisings of 1715 and 1745, many Scots and Irish fled to Europe. Some of those with military experience chose to enter foreign armies as soldiers of fortune.
Which famous ex-Jacobite Prussian commander was killed in 1758 at the defeat of Hochkirch?
Hint


Question 8 of 10
8. In 1757, the Prussian capital, Berlin, was left undefended by Frederick's overstretched armies. The Austrian Cavalry General Haddick took advantage of this and occupied the city.
As was the usual custom, he demanded ransom money from the populace, along with something else.
What did Haddick demand of the Berliners?
Hint


Question 9 of 10
9. By late 1761, it looked as if Frederick was facing total defeat. His regiments were full of low quality troops, most of the veterans dead or disabled, his state coffers almost empty. Austrian and Russian armies were closing in.
Then, in early 1762 a miracle occurred. The 'Miracle of the House of Brandenburg' saved Frederick, and allowed him to hold out for two more years and achieve an acceptable peace. What was the miracle?
Hint


Question 10 of 10
10. The Seven Years' War ended on 10th February 1763 (as far as the war between for the British and French was concerned) and on the 15th of February 1763 for the Austrians, Prussians and Saxons - and the French who were still fighting Prussia.
What are the names of the TWO treaties signed on these dates?
Hint



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Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts
1. An easy one to start with. Who am I? I am the Monarch of Prussia, a member of the Hohenzollern dynasty and I was known in later life as 'the Great'. I was the second monarch in my dynasty to be known by this name. My name is

Answer: Frederick

Frederick the Great (aka Frederick II) was King of Prussia from 1740-1787. Frederick was both a warrior king (taking his nation to war within a year of ascending the throne, the first war of four during his reign) and an enlightened monarch (his drinking buddies included Voltaire and C.P.E. Bach). Frederick earned a name for himself, and his relatively young kingdom, during the Seven Years' War.

Peter the Great was Tsar of Russia during the early 18th century.
Catherine the Great was Tsaritsa (or Empress) of Russia in the late 18th Century.
Franz Josef was the Austrian Habsburg Emperor from 1848-1916 - and he wasn't given the title 'the Great'.
2. Which of these nations was allied to Prussia in the Seven Years' War?

Answer: Britain

Prussia and Britain were allies during the Seven Years' War.
British troops fought in North-West Germany alongside Prussians and minor allies like the Hanoverians (the British King George II was also the Elector of Hanover), Brunswickers and Hessians.

France, Würzburg and Sweden were all at war with Prussia.
3. The Austrian Empire, Frederick's most persistent enemy during the war, was led by its Regent, Empress or 'Kaiserin', Maria Theresa. Initially the War went badly for the Austrians. It wasn't until 1757, one year and several battles after the start of the war, that the Austrians gained their first victory. It happened atop two hills, and the Austian army was commanded by General Leopold Graf von Daun. What was the name of this battle?

Answer: Kolin

Kolin was Frederick the Great's first defeat. The mauled Prussian army retreated but had recovered enough by the autumn campaign season to inflict two great defeats on it's enemies.
For the Austrians, Kolin was a much needed morale boost. Empress Maria Theresa created a new medal, the 'Order of Maria Theresa' celebrating the victory, and it was awarded to Daun. Hastenbeck was a French victory over an Allied Army. Hochkirch (1758) was an Austrian victory, and Kunersdorf (1759) a combined Austrian and Russian victory over Prussia.
4. In North-West Germany, an allied army had been formed to defend the small allied German states from the French. The states included Brunswick, Hanover and Hesse-Kassel. The army consisted a mixture of allied German troops, some Prussians and a sizeable British contingent. These forces were originally commanded by Prince William Augustus, Duke of Cumberland (the 'Butcher of Culloden"). After the his defeat at Hastenback in July 1757, the army retreated and finally surrendered and was disbanded under the treaty of Kloster-Zeven. In 1758, the British revoked the treaty and reformed the Allied Army of Observation, but this time Cumberland was replaced by a German. What was his name?

Answer: Ferdinand, Duke of Brunswick

Ferdinand, Duke of Brunswick was given command of the Allied army, and initially seemed to be doing no better than his predecessor. However, on 1st of August 1759, he led his army in the masterful defeat of a larger French Army at Minden. Much of the credit for this victory must go to the British Foot Regiments, who, due to a misunderstood order, charged - and defeated - the French cavalry.
After Minden, despite Ferdinand losing more minor engagements, the morale of the French army was greatly reduced and the security of the German states was ensured.

Von Seydlitz was one of Frederick the Great's cavalry commanders.
Henri was Frederick's brother, he commanded armies against the Austrians during in the War.
Frederick of Holstein-Gottorp was the son-in-law of Peter the Great.
5. On 5th November, 1757, Frederick decisively defeated a Franco-Imperial Army commanded by Charles de Rohan, Prince de Soubise. After this amazing victory, he marched his army hundreds of miles and then, precisely one month later, on 5th December 1757, defeated the main Austrian army. Where did these battles take place?

Answer: Rossbach and Leuthen

Both Rossbach and Leuthen are seen as examples Fredericks brilliance as a commander, and his astonishing luck. At Rossbach, the Prussians suffered under 550 casualties, and virtually destroyed the French army, causing 7700 casualties and taking 10,000 prisoners!

The battle of Leuthen was referred to by Napoleon as the perfect "oblique attack". Out of view of the Austrians, Frederick maneuvered his army and attacked his opponents flank, rolling it up and soundly defeating his enemy. The Prussians suffered 7,000 casualties, and inflicted 22,000 on the Austians.
Maxen, Torgau and Pirna are all battles from the Seven Years' War. Breitenfeld and Lützen are from the Thirty Years War (1618-1648) and Strasbourg is a city in eastern France.
6. In 1757, the Russians joined the war on side of the Franco-Austrians. The Russian Army of Observation clashed with a Prussian Force near the Pomeranian town of Gross-Jägersdorf. Despite their overwhelming numbers (70,000 Russians v. 25,000 Prussians) the battle resulted in only a minor victory for the Russians, with the Prussian troops withdrawing in good order. In order to build up troop numbers in the Pomeranian theatre, Frederick ordered the formation of several paramilitary style volunteer units. These units were involved mostly in the Pomeranian theatre due to their mediocre performance. What were these units called.

Answer: Freikorps

The Freikorps (literally 'Free Corps') were raised by local landlords. A Freikorps could consist of Musketeer/Grenadier Battalions, Light Infantry, Light Cavalry or Dragoons. They wore distinctive uniforms, and varied greatly in quality. The Freikorps were named after their Proprieter (e.g. Freikorps von Kleist, Freikorps von Schorny). In the 18th Century, each regiment was commanded by a Colonel, and one of his responsibilites was to pay for his soldiers' uniforms, kit, regimental colors etc. He was provided with funds from the government for this.

In nations like Russia and France, many colonels embezzeled their government funding, leaving their troops poorly equipped and clothed.
7. During the 18th century, many gentlemen with Irish and Scottish names may be found in the officer corps of most continental armies. After the failed Jacobite uprisings of 1715 and 1745, many Scots and Irish fled to Europe. Some of those with military experience chose to enter foreign armies as soldiers of fortune. Which famous ex-Jacobite Prussian commander was killed in 1758 at the defeat of Hochkirch?

Answer: James Keith

Field Marshal James Keith, trusted commander and friend of Frederick the Great, was killed during the battle of Hochkirch in 1758. Keith was known as an intelligent and talented field commander. It was of course most unusual for a Field Marshal to fall in battle, and the Prussians and Austrians arranged a 24-hour ceasefire, so that Keith's body could be handed over to the Prussians.

He was buried with full military honours in Berlin. Statues of Keith can be seen both in both Scotland and in Germany today.

Many other nations also took on Jacobite officers under contract. The French even went so far as to raise several regiments of Scots and Irish. The Regiment 'Lally' which fought in India was comprised of and commanded by Irishmen, and it fought with distinction. Rudyard Kipling's poem 'The Irish Brigade' is a stirring testimony of the brave Irishmen who fought for France.
8. In 1757, the Prussian capital, Berlin, was left undefended by Frederick's overstretched armies. The Austrian Cavalry General Haddick took advantage of this and occupied the city. As was the usual custom, he demanded ransom money from the populace, along with something else. What did Haddick demand of the Berliners?

Answer: 24 pairs of ladies gloves

Haddick was not to stay in Berlin long, he ended up remaining there for only one day. His demands of the population were for 27,000 pounds and "two dozen pair of gloves to the Empress Queen".
Haddick left at five the next morning, with the Prussian army of Moritz von Anhalt-Dessau hot on his heels.
It was only when the gloves were delivered to the Empress Queen that it was discovered they were all left handed.
Apparently, this is why in the Austrian Army, officers only wore one glove, holding the right-handed glove with the left hand.
9. By late 1761, it looked as if Frederick was facing total defeat. His regiments were full of low quality troops, most of the veterans dead or disabled, his state coffers almost empty. Austrian and Russian armies were closing in. Then, in early 1762 a miracle occurred. The 'Miracle of the House of Brandenburg' saved Frederick, and allowed him to hold out for two more years and achieve an acceptable peace. What was the miracle?

Answer: Tsarina Elizabeth of Russia died

The Tsarina Elisabeth Petrovina died in January 1762. Her succesor, Peter of Holstein was an ardent admirer of Frederick the Great, and a self-confessed 'Prussophile'. He immediately recalled the Russian troops and called off the war, and even talked of making an alliance against Austria.

This 'Miracle', enabled Frederick to refocus his forces against the Austrians and French. (There were also sound political reasons for Russia to pull out of the war, for if Prussia had been severely defeated or even wiped off the map, the main beneficiary in Central Europe would have been Austria).
10. The Seven Years' War ended on 10th February 1763 (as far as the war between for the British and French was concerned) and on the 15th of February 1763 for the Austrians, Prussians and Saxons - and the French who were still fighting Prussia. What are the names of the TWO treaties signed on these dates?

Answer: Treaty of Hubertusberg; Treaty of Paris

The war had affected all nations involved, and it would affect the course of world history for the next 200 years.

England had gained practically of the French territory in both Canada and India, as well as the islands of Grenada and the Grenadines in the Caribbean from the French. The Royal Navy was now seen as the foremost navy in the world. The British were the real 'winners' of the war.

Prussia had retained Silesia in spite of the efforts of Austria, France, Russia and Sweden. Her military prowess under Frederick the Great had been applauded by allies and enemies alike. Prussia had displaced Austria's position as the leading military power in Central Europe. In the very long term, this culminated in the unification of Germany under Prussian leadership in 1871.

Austria's war had cost her dearly. The war showed that the Holy Roman Empire, of which the Austrian Habsburg Dynasty were rulers, was dying. It would be less than 50 years before the empire would be dissolved, thus ending a thousand year reign.
Also, Austria's military prowess had been all but destroyed, leading the way for Napoleon's early victories, and the rise of French military prowess under Napoleon.

France had been bankrupted by the war. Her people starved, her armies had been shown to have little conviction for their cause. The North American and Indian colonies had been lost, and her military had been shamed.
The aristocrats still lived in decadence, the war had not affected them as severely as the peasants and middle class, but not for long. Within 30 years, the monarchy would be toppled and the people would seize control of France, ending the Bouboun dynasty, and introducing a new form of government - democracy. Then, Napoleon Bonaparte would lead France's armies to victories which would surpass any the world had ever seen.

After conquering Prussia, Napoleon went to visit the tomb of Frederick the Great in Berlin. He spoke quietly to his Marshals by the tomb, saying 'If he were still here, I would not be here now'.
Source: Author schwerepunkt

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