what caused the british reverses in the opening stage of the war
Great Britain in the Seven Years' War
Alarmed by the sudden switch in the European Balance of Power the British made a similar agreement with Prussia at the Westminster Convention . By doing this Newcastle hoped to rebalance the two sides in central Europe - and thereby make a war potentially mutually destructive to all . This he hoped would stop either Austria or Prussia making an attack on the other and would prevent an all - out war in Europe . This would allow Britain and France to continue their colonial skirmishes without formal war being declared in Europe . Frederick the Great had a number of supporters in London , including William Pitt who welcomed the rapprochement between Britain and Prussia . The Dutch Republic , a long - standing ally of Britain , declared its neutrality in the wake of the Westminster Convention and had no active participation in the coming conflict .
Alarmed by the sudden switch in the European Balance of Power the British made a similar agreement with Prussia at the Westminster Convention . By doing this Newcastle hoped to rebalance the two sides in central Europe - and thereby make a war potentially mutually destructive to all . This he hoped would stop either Austria or Prussia making an attack on the other and would prevent an all - out war in Europe . This would allow Britain and France to continue their colonial skirmishes without formal war being declared in Europe . Frederick the Great had a number of supporters in London , including William Pitt who welcomed the rapprochement between Britain and Prussia . The Dutch Republic , a long - standing ally of Britain , declared its neutrality in the wake of the Westminster Convention and had no active participation in the coming conflict .