The Seven Years War

There was no formal declaration of war until 1756 when the French invaded Minnorka, a British possession in the Mediterranean. It's also in 1756 Frederick the Great, Frederick the Second of Prussia, attacks Saxony and Austria launching the Seven Years War on the continent. Both Britain and France see at that period their political destiny as involving maritime supremacy so with maritime supremacy it's a winner take all kind of struggle. In practical terms although the war begins over the Ohio River Valley it's really a war for British and the French over more general Atlantic mastery.