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The Seven Years' War was provoked by the
attempts of Prussian King Frederick II to expand his state territories.
During 1756 and 1757, Prussian forces conducted a successful offensive and
defeated their enemies, Austria and France. In 1756, Frederick II occupied
Saxony and part of Northern Bohemia. He was victorious near Prague, and in
the Battle of Leuthen in 1757 Prussian troops smashed the numerically
superior Austrian army. However, Russian forces and their allies Austria
and France entered eastern Prussia, foiled all Frederick's plans, and
recaptured all territories that he had seized during the campaign of
1756-57. The Russian army inflicted a rigorous defeat on Prussia in the
Battles of Zorndorf (now Sarbinowo, Poland) and Kunersdorf. Only the death
of Russian Tsarina Elisabeth saved Prussia from discomfiture, since Russia
not only broke off its alliance with Austria but also decided to support
Prussia. As a result, Prussia remained inside its prewar borders, but did
not give up the hope of conquering their neighbouring territories.
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