1757

Europe - Seven Years' War

The French advanced on Hanover and Saxony. William Augustus, Duke of Cumberland (son of George II), led the defence of Hanover. He was defeated at the Battle of Hastenbeck, Hanover, in July and went on to sign the Convention of Klosterzeven in September. The Convention promised to hand Hanover to the French. George II disowned the agreement and refused to honour the Convention.

Frederick II of Prussia was forced out of Bohemia in June and went on to win victories against the French (Rossbach, November) and Austrians (Leuthen, December).

India

British anger following reports of the deaths at the Tragedy of the Black Hole the year before fuelled a desire to retake the Indian city of Calcutta from Siraj-Ud-Dawlah, the Nawab (Ruler) of Bengal.

Robert Clive (later known as Clive of India, Baron Clive of Plassey) led the mission to capture Calcutta. On June 23, Clive's forces met the Nawab's at the Battle of Plassey. Although greatly outnumbered by the Nawab's army, which was supported by French gunners, Clive won the battle. Clive appointed Mir Jaffar as Nawab and Bengal came under British control.

America

Fort William Henry, a British outpost in colonial America, was regularly attacked by French and Native Americans keen to displace the British from the New York area. It was strategically important because its occupancy provided command of the Hudson River. In August, the French, supported by Native Americans, attacked the fort and the British were forced to surrender. The British troops agreed to leave peacefully and set out for Fort Edward nearby. They were attacked and many were killed by Native Americans on the way. The attack and following "massacre" was used as the basis for the novel The Last of the Mohicans.